Business Improvement in Mining: Finish On Time and On Budget

Lean Makes a Massive Impact on Mine Construction Projects

Mining companies are increasingly using lean management methodologies to improve yields, increase responsiveness and build resilient organizations. These revolutionary work management practices can have an especially significant financial impact on mine construction and expansion projects. In this article, we describe the impact of lean practices on a massive mining construction project that was significantly off-track.

With long lifecycles and enormous amounts of capital at stake, most mine construction projects are completed late and run 43% over budget. In the article, TBM Vice President, Eduardo Spina and his colleagues, Daniel Anell, Oscar Castillo, Gustavo Tena, and John Ferguson explain how a lean approach to mine construction can ensure projects be completed on time and on budget.

Keys to success and share the results of a massive subterranean mine construction improvement project:

How one mining company project went from running nine months behind schedule to being completed on time
Methods and processes for doubling—then quadrupling—business productivity
Keys for capturing gains and sustaining forward progress

Download the article, “Mining Construction: On Time, On Budget”, to learn how mining companies can use lean management practices to increase excavation and extraction rates, eliminate delays and capture billions in revenue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are delays and cost overruns so common in mining construction projects?

Delays and cost overruns are common because mining construction projects involve complex coordination across contractors, equipment, materials, and changing site conditions. The article explains that traditional project management often relies on schedules and reports that lag behind reality, allowing problems to grow unnoticed. Variability, poor handoffs, and reactive decision‑making compound over time, driving missed milestones and escalating costs.

How does lean construction help eliminate delays in mining projects?

Lean construction helps eliminate delays by improving flow, visibility, and coordination across the project. The article highlights the use of structured planning, clear work sequencing, and daily management to identify constraints before they disrupt progress. By making problems visible early and aligning teams around shared priorities, lean construction reduces waiting, rework, and unplanned interruptions that slow mining projects.

How does applying lean principles reduce cost overruns in mining construction?

Lean principles reduce cost overruns by attacking the root causes of waste rather than reacting to symptoms. The article emphasizes disciplined execution, real‑time performance tracking, and consistent follow‑through to prevent small issues from becoming expensive failures. When work is planned realistically and managed daily, mining construction projects improve predictability, control costs, and deliver results with fewer surprises.