IM 2022 August 22 | Page 52

EXPLOSIVES AND BLASTING
improved the ease-of-use and given the user a simpler experience ,” Liebenberg said . “ XPLOLOG can also import blast design files from third-party blast design software .”
On further integration , Liebenberg noted that application programming interfaces now allow mines to pull data from XPLOLOG into their own IT infrastructure and databases .
IntelliShot initiates in Indonesia
Still on the topic of electronic initiation systems , AECI Mining Explosives has been making a difference on the drill and blast process at Indonesia-based PT Kaltim Prima Coal ( KPC ).
Having previously relied on conventional nonelectric initiation systems , KPC has turned to AECI ’ s IntelliShot ® electronic blasting initiation system to improve the safety and efficiency of its operations .
Located close to Sangatta and Bengalon , East Kalimantan , KPC operates one of the largest open-pit mines in the world with coal resources of 9,275 Mt . The mine employs load and haul operations within its numerous pits , managed by two mining divisions : Mining Operation Division ( MOD ) and Contract Mining Division ( CMD ).
KPC commenced with coal production in 1992 and today moves approximately 500 million bank cubic metres of overburden per year , which allows the production of 60 Mt of coal . About 80 % of the overburden requires drilling and blasting to enable efficient excavation , AECI says .
The mine has traditionally used conventional non-electric initiation within its CMD area , where AECI Mining Explosives Indonesia ( AECI Indonesia ) is contracted as the blasting services provider . This method requires a lead-in-line to be run from the blast location to the firing position . In 2017 , this method consumed approximately 650 m of lead-in-line per blast location , according to AECI , with high daily production targets set by KPC requiring multiple
A recent addition to IntelliShot is the high accuracy Differential Global Positioning System , which AECI says , is bringing autonomy to the blasthole tagging process
Geothermal blasthole inspection
Looking to safely advance into more geothermally active parts of the open-pit operation , Newcrest Mining ’ s Lihir operation in Papua New Guinea has commissioned an improved Temperature Measuring Unit ( TMU ).
This second generation TMU , called Anako Sense , follows the commissioning of the Anako 13 prototype on March 6 , 2018 , at Lihir , which , according to technology developer Olitek Mining Robotics ( OMR ), engineered-out the risk of personnel exposure to geysering events during drill hole measurement activities at the mine .
Anako 13 allowed geothermal technicians to operate a mobile arm from the vehicle remotely , while simultaneously lowering or raising a probe safely to measure and record temperature , water level and depth within blast holes . It was designed to mechanise this quality monitoring process in the open pit , removing operators from danger and putting them in the safety of an air-conditioned cabin .
The Mark 2 machine recently delivered to Lihir provides faster than manual cycle times , while eliminating fatigue , repetitive strain injury and exposure risks , according to OMR . It also provides real-time data capture of borehole quality measurements .
Newcrest teams collaborated with several business partners to deliver the Anako Sense unit early this year , allowing geothermal technicians to continue carrying out their work safely as Lihir ’ s mining pit phases extend deeper and further north into Kapit orebody , the miner said .
While Anako Sense has obvious applications at mine sites with geothermal hazards like Lihir , the technology ’ s appeal is much broader , according to James Oliver , OMR ’ s Managing Director .
“ Anako Sense could be used and applied at any mine operating in freezing cold conditions , at high altitudes , located in inland deserts , or around voids ,” he said . “ The quicker we get people off the bench and into safe vehicle cabins , the better off the industry will be . The development of Anako Sense will help that transition .”
Lihir Superintendent – Geothermal Operations , Kaipale Pano , said the enthusiasm and feedback from the project team and personnel around the introduction of Anako Sense had been heartening . “ The project is a success for Newcrest Lihir because we ( Newcrest ) encourage employees to experiment with new ideas to improve safety and production performance ,” he said . “ We displayed Newcrest ’ s practice – ‘ Bottom-up Innovation ’ – and values – ‘ Working Together ’ and ‘ Innovation and Problem Solving ’ – through this project .”
The name Anako was inspired by an incident at Lihir nine years ago . In 2013 , Samuel Ayata , a Geothermal Technician from Eastern Highlands and Morobe , sustained injuries from geysers when collecting blasthole data . His father , Ayata Anako , collapsed upon receiving news about the incident and was bedridden for almost three weeks , pleading with his son to quit his job .
Ayata said : “ The scars on my body were a drive for our team to take on this safety initiative and continue improving it ; we named the TMU after my father . I thank Newcrest for supporting our commitment to work safely for our families .”
locations from where blasts can be initiated safely .
“ Whilst this is possible within the strict safety parameters set by the mine , it sometimes requires some clever footwork , especially related to moving expensive capital equipment out of harm ’ s way ,” AECI explained . “ This cumbersome method isn ’ t always the most efficient and often results in a loss of production time .”
AECI Indonesia , as the incumbent blasting services provider for KPC CMD since 2009 , suggested a trial of IntelliShot , which has the capability to initiate one or more initiating systems wirelessly . This application can generate much needed efficiencies by only using a short length of harness wire as opposed to the cost of a full lead-in-line when non-electric blast initiation is applied in the same application , the company says .
“ Any new application of technology at the mine requires careful planning and demonstration of the ability to safely maintain improvement of these parameters ,” it says . “ The AECI Indonesia team embarked on a carefully controlled trial to test the applicability of the system and to ensure that KPC gets the full benefits .” In addition to saving on costly lead-in lines ,
48 International Mining | AUGUST 2022