Peñasquito

Client: Minera Peñasquito S.A. DE C.V.

Zacatecas, México

1. Project Overview

The Peñasquito mining unit, located in the state of Zacatecas, Mexico, is one of the largest open-pit mining operations in Latin America. Owned and operated by Newmont Corporation, the mine produces gold, silver, lead, and zinc and represents a cornerstone of modern Mexican mining.

The deposit is situated within the Mazapil mining district, a region recognized for its significant metallic resources and economic importance. Peñasquito features state-of-the-art mining and processing infrastructure, large-capacity tailings storage facilities (TSFs), and advanced water management systems, all developed under strict sustainability and environmental compliance standards.

2. Project Challenges

Project development at Peñasquito involved a series of complex technical and management challenges requiring highly specialized engineering solutions:

Design and implementation of integrated seepage and groundwater flow monitoring systems.
Replacement of large-diameter steel pipelines (36-inch and 42-inch) while maintaining uninterrupted operations.
Simultaneous compliance with Mexican regulatory requirements and Newmont corporate standards.
Optimization of contingency ponds designed to manage flows of up to 5,000 tons per hour (TPH) for a 60-minute event.
Technical and economic validation of closure strategies and demolition cost estimates.
Coordination of critical water management and tailings infrastructure.
Implementation of solutions aligned with operational safety and environmental sustainability objectives.

3. Our Approach and Solutions

To address these challenges, a multidisciplinary engineering approach was implemented, prioritizing operational reliability, technical efficiency, and long-term sustainability.

Tools, Methods, and Innovations

Development of integrated seepage monitoring and collection systems.
Detailed engineering for the replacement of 36-inch and 42-inch diameter steel pipelines.
Design of seepage collector trenches incorporating HDPE drainage systems, granular filters, and nonwoven geotextiles.
Conceptual engineering for contingency ponds serving the north and south hydrocyclone towers.
Feasibility studies for optimization of hydraulic monitoring systems.
Technical validation of demolition cost assessments in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Sustainable Engineering Practices

Dual compliance with national regulations and international corporate standards.
Optimization of water management efficiency within contingency systems.
Reduction of environmental impact through optimized hydraulic design solutions.
Application of sustainable engineering principles in infrastructure upgrades and operational systems.

4. Results Achieved

The implementation of this approach delivered measurable improvements in the management of critical infrastructure.

Technical Deliverables

Feasibility engineering for the seepage monitoring system (USD 158,078).
Detailed engineering for 36-inch pipeline replacement (USD 113,868) and 42-inch pipeline replacement (USD 76,152).
Design of seepage collector trench discharging to the north and south ponds (USD 72,879).
Engineering support for replacement of 4,500 meters of 36-inch diameter steel pipeline (USD 54,896).
Conceptual engineering for contingency ponds with a 5,000 TPH capacity (USD 54,732).
Technical validation of demolition cost estimates in compliance with regulatory standards.

Project Impact

Strengthened hydraulic integrity and operational safety of critical systems.
Implementation of high-performance, technically robust, and sustainable engineering solutions.
Full alignment with international corporate governance and regulatory frameworks.
Strategic technical support for closure planning and long-term operational sustainability.