EXPLOSIVES & BLASTING
With the growing presence of LTE technology in the mining sector , Becker sought to develop a reliable LTE blasting device that wouldn ’ t require extensive training , all while keeping safety a priority , Becker Varis ’ Albert Bower says of smartblast LTE measurements for individual rock particles can be measured using the same Split HSL measurements to find the ratios of the product type blends .
The company concluded : “ HxGN Split ’ s image processing technology delivers high-quality information , ensuring the key step of fragmentation analysis is managed from drill to mill , thus improving mine profits .”
“ With the growing presence of LTE technology in the mining sector , we sought to develop a reliable LTE blasting device that wouldn ’ t require extensive training , all while keeping safety a priority ,” Albert Bower , CEO of Becker Varis , the Canadian division of Becker Mining Systems , said .
The 3GPP compliant system is comprised of two units : the Controller ( RB1675-M ) and the Remote ( RB1675-R ). The Controller features a historical log book and safe bi-directional communication with all installed Remotes , while being able to fire a total of 64 Remotes , according to Becker Varis .
Both units are designed to withstand harsh environments while the Remote includes sensors to detect seismic activity .
The benefits of the system have already been felt at Eldorado Gold ’ s Lamaque underground gold mine in Quebec , Canada , where , Becker Varis , in partnership with Meglab ( recently acquired by Epiroc ), commissioned the first smartblast LTE remote firing system .
To ensure proper communication between the mine ’ s LTE network and the smartblast LTE units , multiple tests were conducted and provided positive results as blasts were successfully initiated without misfires from multiple levels of the mine , Becker explained .
“ We are very pleased with the results of the tests that were completed ,” Sylvain Frigon , Director of Technology Projects at Meglab , said . “ With the emergence of LTE communications technology in Québec , we believe that we will be able to help our clients with a blasting system that fits their requirements .”
In 2020 , Eldorado Gold set up a private underground LTE network at Lamaque in collaboration with Meglab and Bell .
Split the difference
Hexagon has , once again , looked to improve fragmentation analysis within the drill and blast process by adding split colour features to its offering .
HxGN Split provides technologically advanced image-analysis techniques to help mines optimise fragmentation , saving significant costs while improving drill and blast processes , the
company said . New to Split ’ s solution suite is HSL ( Hue , Saturation and Luminance ), a colour analysis feature that , Hexagon says , empowers mine operators with real-time ore type detection .
“ Real-time tracking of product types allows for immediate decision making to optimise rocksize reduction and product-type treatments ,” Hexagon said . “ The new feature further supports operational efforts to improve product throughput and ore recovery .”
This is important when mining operations are continuing to maximise existing resources , using value-added technologies .
HSL ’ s key benefits include : n The ability to monitor product type blending for optimum processing ; n Reduce ore dilution by tracking product source mining ; n Maximise throughput with consistent product delivery to the plant ; and n Immediately adjust ore recovery treatments based upon product type . “ Hue , saturation and luminance values are measured during live plant production and provide a statistically relevant sample required to aid decision making ,” Hexagon said . “ A colour wheel is applied to the images to provide calculated HSL values for every processed iteration . Evaluation of the Split HSL values are correlated to the mine geologic product types to find the unique image property signatures .”
The HSL values are measured for the image samples to be trended on live operator screens . Step changes in the Split results provide immediate indicators for product type changes that signal the need for operational responses , Hexagon explained .
Timely decisions surrounding the operating conditions lead to improved plant throughput and product recovery , while additional detailed
A well-needed boost
Storage and transportation of explosives and its associated raw materials come with a fair amount of risk , with AECI Mining Explosives looking to address these issues with the development of a “ ground-breaking ” alternative booster technology manufactured from nonexplosive raw materials .
The manufacture of boosters or primers from pentaerythritol tetranitrate ( PETN ), or cyclotrimethylene trinitramine ( RDX ) and trinitrotoluene ( TNT ), has been unrivalled for decades in terms of performance and reliability . It remains the preferred method globally as an intermediary part of the detonation train due to its ease of initiation from a detonator and high VOD , according to the company . Yet PETN , RDX and TNT , due to their chemical make-up , require sophisticated plants and specialised raw material facilities for manufacturing .
The handling of energetic materials and explosive raw materials are , by their nature , hazardous and , therefore , highly regulated in the interest of public safety . This introduces some costly challenges , according to Hazel Bomba , Product Manager at AECI Mining Explosives .
As a result , the ability to position booster manufacturing sites in more geographically suitable areas to make the product more accessible is limited .
AECI Mining Explosives is developing an alternative booster technology wherein a highpowered explosive booster is manufactured from non-explosive raw materials . The alternative booster technology is currently being trialled in the field following lab testing . The company is confident its innovative PowerBoost product will be market-ready by the March quarter of 2022 .
“ This alternative technology opens up the opportunity for so much more ,” Bomba said . “ AECI Mining Explosives has been trialling and optimising the booster design to the extent that its PowerBoost technology outperforms the equivalent PETN and TNT boosters . The use of non-explosive raw materials in booster technology simplifies logistics , has the potential to lower manufacturing costs and creates the ability to deploy simple mobile modular plants to strategically placed manufacturing hubs .”
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AUGUST 2021 | International Mining 101