EXPLOSIVES & BLASTING
dilution reduction and facilitated a 20% improvement in mucking
productivity at Musselwhite, according to Orica.
Orica’s WebGen technology has also led to the development of other
methods such as:
n Temporary uppers retreat pillar;
n Reverse throw retreat;
n Longitudinal transverse retreat;
n Pre-loaded retreat;
n Transverse TRP, and;
n Longitudinal transverse lifter.
This is not all WebGen and Orica’s automation-focused technologies have
helped facilitate.
Mooney said: “In underground mining, hang-up blasting poses a major
challenge for block and sub level cave mines around the world. At any one
time, up to 30% of all drawpoints can be unavailable due to oversized
material. Concerns around safety are also more pronounced in underground
mining.
“In aiming to ensure the safety of every miner and increased productivity
for our customers, we have developed the first fully tele-remote and
mechanised drawpoint hang-up blasting solution with MacLean
Engineering.
“Underpinned by our WebGen wireless technology, the mechanised units,
which have been fully tested, are capable of charging up to eight blast
holes remotely without the need to tie-in detonators, removing people
completely from harm’s way. We expect our units to be commercially
available from later this year.”
And, in open-pit mining, the first phase of the company’s developments is
to automate the explosives loading process.
“This phase is underway and will see us make our Mobile Manufacturing
Units (MMU™) completely self-reliant, and is expected to be completed by
2021,” Mooney said, explaining that the automated delivery systems will
reduce human exposure to hazards and “open up new value opportunities for
customers around the world”.
DynoConsult’s Lusk says the safe handling of explosive products has been a
major industry concern with automated blasting, but Dyno Nobel is currently
engaged in projects that will allow for varying levels of autonomous loading
and blasting.
“The loading equipment we use is already doing some automated hole
loading based on our DynoLogix systems for bulk trucks on the surface and
DynoMiners underground,” he said.
The initiation systems are a bit more difficult to load in an automated
system due to handling issues and wires or tubes needing to connect to a
blasting circuit, according to Lusk.
“Nevertheless, Dyno Nobel is committed to putting technology at the
forefront of our business, and automated loading is under development.”
Automation and digitalisation of the drill and blast process are also key
parts of MAXAM’s R&D focus.
The company is currently engaged in the Spain-based TUÑEL
investigation project, which looks to address the competitiveness of the
drilling and blasting cycle in mining and underground works, “through the
conception of new techniques of engineering, explosives, prototypes and
advanced tools” to be used in tunnelling, Huélamo said.
“Advanced tools like our RIOBLAST software suite and the Continuous
Improvement Program, which are already creating value for our customers,
are being integrated with drilling and blasting equipment to provide
seamless, real-time blast data modelling and simulation to tailor the
outcome of each individual blast,” he said.
MAXAM’s in-house RIOBLAST software can be applied to specific blasting
problems by performing design and predictive simulations on charging,
timing, ground vibration and fragmentation before the blast, according to
MAXAM. It can also provide post-blast measurements as required (powder
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