Análisis cuantitativo de causas y optimización de procesos mediante el ciclo PHVA: un enfoque de ingeniería de calidad aplicado a la seguridad en minería subterránea

Objective: The application of the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle was analyzed as a continuous improvement tool to strengthen safety and optimize operational processes in underground mining. Methodology: Mixed-methods research was developed, with a descriptive and propositional scope, which combined a documentary review of specialized literature with the quantitative analysis of 34 incident records that occurred during the second semester of 2025 in a mining unit in Zimapán, Hidalgo, Mexico. The immediate causes were identified, their frequencies and percentages were calculated, and actions, responsible parties, and indicators were designed, organized into the four stages of the PDCA cycle. Results: Eight immediate causes were identified; non-standard conditions accounted for 32.35% of the records, while unsafe acts and non-compliance with work standards each reached 20.59%. These three categories accounted for 73.53% of the incidents. Based on the diagnosis, a proposal for improvement was formulated with activities, responsible parties, indicators, initial values, and goals. Conclusions: The study provided a quantitative diagnosis and an intervention framework to guide risk prevention and continuous improvement in underground mining. However, since the proposal has not been implemented, its effectiveness must be verified through subsequent research that evaluates changes in the frequency of incidents and compliance with safety measures.