Mining Drill Move Kaizen Project Example

Cliffs Natural Resources’ Michigan Operations Six Sigma project reduced the drill-move by more than 50% and 12% improvement in drill fleet--Cliffs Natural Resources' Michigan Operations consists of two iron ore mines in the Upper Peninsula: the Empire Mine and Tilden Mine. Like most businesses, Michigan Operations was faced with a seriously curtailed production year in 2009 due to the worldwide economic downturn. In order to reduce costs and conserve cash, the business unit cut production nearly in half. Its customers - steelmakers - were likewise reducing inventory and producing just enough product to meet the needs of their customers. Toward the end of 2009, the market rebounded, bringing with it a high demand for iron ore to keep up with the increasing demand for steel and to replenish the depleted inventory. Michigan Operations was charged with quickly ramping up production – without purchasing new equipment. To ensure delivery of the expeditious production plan, the mine's drill