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By Karl Dufresne

Blasting in geothermally high temperature ground and/or extremely reactive ground is an increasing common challenge for surface and underground mines. Many current PETN based non-electric and electronic detonators have manufacturer published in-hole temperature limits ranging from 55°C to 65°C (131°F to 150°F) and prescribed in-hole residence times on the order of days. When confronting blasthole temperatures above the manufacturer published limits, operations may request site-specific guidance and qualification for use. The advised safe loading window for in-hole PETN based detonators is often too short to be practicable for production blasting. To overcome limitations of PETN based initiation systems, surface mines with high temperature ground and/or reactive ground are known to load blastholes with a qualified high temperature bulk emulsion that are top primed with a cartridge of temperature qualified detonator sensitive emulsion plus an RDX detonating cord downline. As there is no in-hole delay detonator in this system, blasthole timing is accomplished with surface delays. Although this system is safe, top priming and surface delaying does influence floor quality and top size fragmentation, and safe loading windows times reduce blast block size and increase blasting frequency. The DynaEnergetics IGNEO high temperature electronic initiation system is rated for in-hole use in ground up to 150°C (302°F) for 48 hours. The detonator consists of a high strength detonator with an HMX base charge and thermally resistant downline. To make up a primer, the detonator is inserted into a booster charge assembly that is fitted with a small HMX shape charge. This high energy primer is designed to be compatible and reliable for firing bulk emulsions, including those with high percentages of urea inhibition to combat reactive ground. Up to 1000 detonators may be programmed in 1ms increments up to 1500ms. The system is controlled by a digital firing panel that can be used with either a wired or wireless trigger. The system enables high temperature and/or reactive ground sites to utilize in-hole delay initiation and realize the associated performance benefits. An underground mine in Western USA has several areas in their development heading with very high temperature, in view of this, they decided to use the IGNEO detonators in order to evaluate the effectiveness and performance of the system.

Jan 21, 2025

By Diego Quezada, Carlos Munoz, Marco Arellano

It is well-know that the presence of fine materials in mining has a direct impact on the plant processes with a great influence in the total amount of ore production and recovery. In Cu mining heap leaching is affected negatively by the presence of fines material (< 100 # Ty) in leaching piles, where a decreasing in Cu recovery is achieved in a lot of cases. D&B practices used normally in mine operations can generate fines > 4% in blasted piles, but the principal effects are reflected in the downstream processes where pre-conditioning post-blast materials release greater quantities of fines.

Jan 1, 2010

By Daniel Vargas Quispe, Yorhinio León Robles, Marco Jauregui Vargas, Helen Espinoza Bailon, Oshin Quispe Luya

This project describes the methodology applied during the execution of tests to determine the multiple controls that mitigate damage to the final walls of the pit. The different tests were executed on production pattern, which considered: modification of the angle of pre-split drill line, damage evaluation in individual drills with different load designs, varied detonation sequences, capture and analysis of elementary waves. After the evaluation and analysis of the results obtained in the tests, we are in process to standardize various damage controls such as; the combination of pre-split drill line angles at 80° and 90°; charge design in buffer drills that reduce the angle of action of the explosive and a detonation sequence that involves the creation of a relief filter that is made up of the detonation of two rows next to the pre-split drill line, which will have the function of filtering the waves of vibrations produced by the detonation of the production drills and at the same time it modifies the direction of damage towards the blasted material. The analysis of the different controls, as well as their combination, will allow us to improve the compliance results of the formation of benches.

Jan 21, 2025

By Paulo Cesar Pavan

T&T or Traceability, is a concept of generating, storing and on demand providing information about all traceable items in the supply chain

Jan 1, 2019

By Alan B. Richards, Aleks Todoroski

The undesirable effects of blasting fumes can be controlled by minimising the amount of fume created, and by avoiding the movement of the fume plume to sensitive locations. Substantial progress has been made by the blasting industry to reduce the amount of fume typically created by blasting, but at this time no specific blast can be guaranteed to be ‘fume free’.

Jan 1, 2017

By Tacio Ferreira

A surface copper mine in the Western United States faced challenges in recovering rock and ore from final walls because of geotechnical constraints that require restrictions on methods for loading blastholes adjacent to the pit boundaries to preserve wall conditions. The operation had been using the same drill and blast designs for years. With changing geology, such as harder rock, as mining progressed, material was being left unmined in final walls because of poor breakage. The amount of unrecovered, unprocessed ore was estimated at approximately 380,000 tons a year generated from an average of 60 final wall blasts performed annually. The mine engineering team and Dyno Nobel engaged to minimize the amount of material left on the final pit walls. In this paper we present how we collected data, reviewed design standards, and found opportunities to improve ore recovery from pit final walls without increasing drilling and blasting costs. The results collected from implementing the new design on two benches showed the potential for extra revenue of approximately $3.6 million generated annually from reducing final wall unrecoverable underbreak by nearly 71% on the mine’s highwalls.

Jan 21, 2025

By Frank Hirthammer

Since the introduction of the Explosives Track & Trace in Europe in 2014 for manufacturers and 2015 for end-users, a lot has changed in all areas of the supply chain and the use of explosives. The regional associations, manufacturers' organizations, and trade associations have proven that it is possible to overcome a hurdle, that looks almost impossible in the beginning, through consistent cooperation. The paper gives an insight into the problems involved in introducing such a requirement, identifies ways and solutions, and concludes them. When looking at the current situation, the paper describes the process by which a prescribed change in business processes are transforming into a solution that increases productivity, security, and handling.

Feb 1, 2020

By Jason Rock, Rob Thompson, Lee Julian

This paper presents an innovative shift in inhibited bulk products with specific reference to their manufacture and application.

Feb 1, 2020

By Saeed Karimifard, Saman Nouranian, Shahram Tafazoli, Bahram Sameti, Frank Chu, Caitlin McKinnon, Tetiana Konstantynivska, Glen Turner

We propose a particle size analysis solution for haul trucks that does not impact current operational workflows. Using artificial intelligence (AI) and 3D imaging technology, our solution reliably localizes and identifies haul trucks as they drive by, then accurately calculates the particle size distribution of the visible material in each truck load. In this paper, we identify the challenges of designing and implementing the proposed solution and explain the strategies we employ to overcome these. We also discuss a method for boulder detection that leverages the existing deep learning architecture to significantly reduce crusher downtime caused by oversized rocks

Feb 1, 2020

By Frank Hirthammer

Since the introduction of the Explosives Track & Trace in Europe in 2014 for manufacturers and 2015 for end-users, a lot has changed in all areas of the supply chain and the use of explosives. The regional associations, manufacturers' organizations, and trade associations have proven that it is possible to overcome a hurdle, that looks almost impossible in the beginning, through consistent cooperation. The paper gives an insight into the problems involved in introducing such a requirement, identifies ways and solutions, and concludes them. When looking at the current situation, the paper describes the process by which a prescribed change in business processes are transforming into a solution that increases productivity, security, and handling. It shows examples from daily work, in which possibilities for optimization, improved quality assurance, and work facilitation are explained. It presents the resulting potential by comparing process flows, before and after the introduction of Track & Trace solutions. What challenges will we face in the future concerning the use of T&T solutions? Will the tracking of explosives become the norm worldwide? What are future hardware and software developments to be expected? What impact will this have on the global supply chain?

By Benjamín Cebrián, David Flores, María Rocha Gil

This document shows the evolution of drilling and blast digitization process, savings and trends in a mine, using new technologies that creates business opportunities and general improvement of D&B process.

Feb 1, 2020

By J P. Tidman, I J. Kirby, G H. Harries

The SABREX computer model is based on the fact that both shock waves and gas pressure are important in describing a blast. The treatment of explosive-rock interactions includes the influence of non-ideal detonation to make use of recent advances in that field. Details of the blast layout are defined from a comprehensive list of conditions the blaster can control (drill pattern, charging and hook-up). The program gives practical and graphic information about fragmentation, muckpile, damage and costs.

Jan 1, 1987

By Francisco Sena Leite, Raquel Sobral, Vinicius Gouveia de Miranda, Céu Jesus

"This document investigates a newly developed technique with the objective of improving terrain triangulation models (horizontal/sub-horizontal and vertical/sub-vertical terrains), mainly blast free faces. The algorithm uses multi-linear regressions to generate the best point cloud projection plane by applying the residues modulus minimization so as to create the finest 3D triangulation model. A change of base is required to create a new set of coordinate axis and generate completely new projection planes. The projection plane residue analysis is inferred in order to avoid or reduce the outlier points. The dataset is composed of 12 terrain models obtained from photogrammetry and a 3D Laser equipment thatgenerates georeferenced cloud points. This new technique is validated by the analysis of the obtainedcritical burden by the improvement of the general aspect view of the terrains and the capacity of outlier’s detection. The result and the quality of the algorithm demonstrates the improvement in the triangulation mesh, reducing errors in the calculation of over/under burden, free face volumes, cavities and, therefore, in the estimations of clearance/safety distances."

Jan 1, 2017

By Benjamin Cebrián, María Gil, David Flores

In many occasions during the Mining operation life, blasting engineers find different and controversial results of fragmentation, dilution or wall control for the same geotechnical domain and blast design (pattern and explosive charge). Most of the times, the difference between same blast designs is not measured, not controlled. Once a blast designed is defined, the most important part of the process after that is the implementation of every step of the blast on site. Almost nobody is measuring it, controlling it, but just controlling implementation is possible to relate blast design with results in a consistent way, to optimize the full process of D&B. Controlling implementation not only per event but also to check and change trends and decision-making is paramount for optimization and saving millions of extra costs every year. The lack of resources and the hardness to manage all the info created every day in a blast make this process very tough and difficult to maintain in long term. The use of new technologies on site and software that allows a best, more consistent and continuous control of blast implementation have been proved to be the key for optimizations and cost saving. This document shows the evolution of drilling and blast digitization process, savings and trends in a mine, using new technologies that creates business opportunities and general improvement of D&B process.

By W. Boas, R. Silva, D. Yumi, L. Steffen

The continuity of the flow and stages within the mining process is essential to achieve success in its operation and results, especially when it comes to a gold mine. During the first seven months of 2022, crushing at the Morro do Ouro Mine had 19 stops in the primary crusher due to equipment blockage/obstruction, this could be due to the size of the material that was blasted with explosives and fed. The feeding of coarse material to the crushing plant impacts the operation in several ways, for example, premature wear of the equipment, reduction in the supply of the remainder of the beneficiation, reduction of the buffer pile and damage to the conveyed belt. In a mine located far from the community, the fragmentation improvement is mainly related to load increments or some other relatively simple change. However, when it comes to a mine located close to communities, alterations of this type must be analyzed in detail, as it can have an impact mainly in relation to vibration and flyrock. Aiming to improve the efficiency of the blasting, mainly in relation to the result of fragmentation, a project was created to improve the efficiency of the blasting with a focus on reducing the crushing stoppage and reducing the amount of material discarded due to inadequate granulometry. During the evolution of the project, several improvement solutions were proposed, for example adjustment of the power factor in relation to the geological characteristics of the rock mass, drainage, blasting geometry, vibration reduction techniques and several operational improvements. By using the techniques and methods identified as improvements during the project, it was possible to observe and quantify improvements in relation to the fragmentation of the blast. During the months of January to July 2022 there were 19 events. It was estimated that at this rate there would be 14 more blockage events, but there were only 3 events and that meant a 79% reduction in blockage. In addition to the reduction in crushing shutdown events, there was also a 53% reduction in the amount of ore that is discarded due to inadequate granulometry and, with that, the feed rate of the grinding system was able to reach the maximum feed limit due to the material being fed to the mill well fragmented, contributing to increase the production and productivity of the beneficiation process at the Morro do Ouro Mine in Paracatu-Minas Gerais-Brazil.

Jan 1, 2024

By Alan R. Gadberry

To resolve drilling and blasting problems, rather than treating symptoms and allowing problems to grow, the mine operator needs to change the way he operates. When a mine operator discovers a drilling and blasting result that he doesn't like, it is easy for him to think of that disappointing result as a problem. More often than not, however, that result is only a symptom of a problem, and the real, underlying problem cause can be seen when the operator looks in the mirror. Symptoms and problems relating to drilling and blasting are resolved when the mine operator makes appropriate changes in the way he manages his operations.

Jan 1, 1985

By Bilegt Batbold, Bayu Saputra, Chris Batten

The ability to fire multiple blasts simultaneously can provide significant benefits to any open pit mining operation. Reduced blast-related downtime by reducing blast events can increase equipment utilization and maximize material movement. Significant sequencing benefits can also be delivered, associated with reduced equipment relocation. This paper describes the work completed in partnership between Orica and Oyu Tolgoi to successfully demonstrate that combined production-trim and midsplit blasting could be implemented successfully while successfully managing the risk of increased damage to the final walls. The paper details the methodology used to assess key performance measures linked to final wall damage and compares the performance between the following blasting methods. • Free face trim blasting vs. combined production-trim blasting • Presplit blasting vs. midsplit blasting. The results of the initial trial blasts are presented, along with the method agreed by the key site stakeholders for ongoing application. The method used to keep the risk of final wall damage to an acceptable level is explained, along with the benefits delivered to Oyu Tolgoi operations associated with the initial 12 months of application.

Jan 21, 2025

By Winfried Rosenstock, Carlos Orlandi

Along the Pacific West coast of Latin America there are several large operations of metal mining activities. To mention only a few: Chuquicamata in Northern Chile moving daily approximately one million t of copper ore and waste, Cerro Verde near Arequipa in Peru, or lanaccocia. Apart from the coal deposits in north-east Columbia it is mainly to deal with metal-mining, which has due to geographical reasons relatively high cash-cost. This sector of mining is traditionally severely depending on the world-market.There are reasons to believe that the world-market will remain on a low price level and some analysts predict that in general the price-level will continue on low basis for the next decade. The cash-cost factor becomes therefore even more important as it already is. The goldprice development during the year 1999 illuminates that market changes can quickly lead to a severe crisis which forces the shutdown of mines with cash-costs close to or above the present market price per ounce. The breakdown of the cash-cost shows, however, that there are ways to overcome even the crisis like it struck the low-grade open pit goldmines around the world. Especially hitherto the “Electronic Option” is the only solution as the possible reduction using advanced technology based on the application of electronic detonating systems and newly developed special ignition procedures. The electronic option will lead to tremendous cost reductions similar to the results of research operations Thiess Contractors, Brisbane, Australia have carried out in Australia in 1998 and 1999. The electronic option allows a comprehensive integration of side effects of the blasting process which in the past could not have been achieved so far. Electronic initiation can achieve secondary effects which have an additional and positive impact on the level of costs. Appropriate application can enhance the production of material which will reduce the primary crusher costs or even make a primary crusher operation obsolete.

Jan 1, 2000

By Dale S. Preece, Ruilin Yang

"Air-decking has been used frequently in blasting for many decades. It has been asserted that an air-deckcan alleviate excessive shock pressure from the detonation of a charge thereby producing better energy distribution in a blast overburden, for example. Research on air-decking has been active and various theories have been postulated that mostly support the effectiveness of air-decking for improved blast efficiency."

Jan 1, 2017

By Tom BoBo, Seth Gering, Jeff Loeb

Presenting a D&B feedback loop built on a well-designed blast, proven fragmentation analysis and blast monitoring solutions, underpinned by technology that not only increases profit from every blast, but also increases a mine’s purchasing power over one of the most expensive part of the process – explosives.

Feb 1, 2020