EXPLOSIVES & BLASTING
fragmentation profiles of stockpiles to improve blending .
Angus Melbourne , Chief Technology Officer of Orica , told IM : “ By integrating FRAGTrack GeoSpatial and BlastIQ blast data in the BlastIQ Insights Blast Analysis Dashboards , users can effortlessly compare their blast designs with the blast ’ s actual spatial particle size distribution . This capability allows for precise blast design tuning , enabling optimal blast performance on subsequent blasts within the relevant domain . “ It automates the association of blasting energy and fragmentation , enabling miners to easily calibrate fragmentation models to achieve better blast designs , improve fragmentation profiles and increase throughput .”
Orica has been able to expand its reach throughout the mining supply chain by developing flagship products that have a tangible impact on safety , productivity and efficiency at the mine face .
One of the key enablers of late has been WebGen , the company ’ s fully wireless initiation system .
This system has had a significant impact on the way mining companies conduct blasting operations , leading to the creation of many different mining techniques that were simply not possible with wired initiation systems .
“ The impressive statistic of over 176,000 units fired underscores the widespread adoption and effectiveness of the technology ,” Melbourne said . “ While some mines may initially have reservations about adopting wireless blasting as a potential replacement for traditional initiating systems , the actual experiences of sites that have implemented WebGen paint a different picture .”
The benefits derived from reduced development , faster cycle times , improved recovery rates , increased production flexibility and decreased dilution provide significant value to operations that outweigh the associated cost increase , according to Melbourne .
He added : “ In fact , what we have observed is that mines gradually increase their utilisation of WebGen over time .”
Now in the process of rolling out additional WebGen 200 platforms – the second iteration of the initiation system – across surface and underground mines , Orica is in receipt of dozens of success stories at mines owned by major mining companies such as Vale and Newmont .
The development of WebGen 200 has also accelerated the automation and mechanisation of explosives charging through Avatel™ .
A fully mechanised development charging system developed by Epiroc and Orica , Avatel is now operating at Newcrest ’ s Cadia Valley Operations in New South Wales , Australia , with the first shot fired in May 2023 .
Avatel is being usurped in the automation level stakes by the company ’ s fleet of 4D™enabled Bulkmaster™ Mobile Manufacturing Units ( MMU™s ) in surface mining and Maxichargers™ in underground operations .
“ Our recent efforts have primarily centred around automating the digital flow of information and decision-making processes ,” Melbourne explained , saying one of the key areas is the automation of the bulk explosives loading process on these units .
Orica ’ s latest bulk explosives system , 4D , allows customers to access a wider range of energies and the ability to adjust energy levels within a blast pattern based on geological considerations and desired blast outcomes – all at a push of the button , it says .
The explosives are then delivered through MMUs equipped with LOADPlus™ , Orica ' s proprietary in-cab smart explosives delivery control system that , it says , enables the ease of manufacture and accurate and efficient delivery of formulated explosives products to plan .
“ The integration with Orica ' s suite of digital technologies , including BlastIQ and SHOTPlus™ , further enhances customers ’ ability to leverage seamless digital workflows for blast designs , quality assurance and control , and digital insights for continuous optimisation of blasting outcomes ,” Melbourne says .
The implementation of these automated processes , supported by the algorithms in the LOADPlus system , has led to notable improvements in achieving desired densities and energies in the blasting process , according to the company .
“ Our efforts in automation represent significant progress towards automating the entire hole loading process , bringing in increased accuracy and flexibility that were not achievable manually ,” Melbourne said .
The company has now got to the point with this automated hole loading platform that it is talking about commercialisation in the Australia- Pacific region in the March quarter of 2024 , with subsequent regions , including North America , Latin America , Asia , and Europe , Middle East and Africa , soon after .
Melbourne concluded : “ As we anticipate the future , we are excited to introduce a line-up of upcoming products that will push the boundaries of explosives and blasting technologies , setting new industry benchmarks .”
Safety , supply chain and sustainability
When it comes to using alternate electronic initiation systems outside of the traditional wired variant , BME is looking beyond just wireless solutions .
The company ’ s General Manager of Technology & Marketing , Nishen Hariparsad , says BME ’ s AXXIS™ platform is the key area of focus for such developments .
AXXIS was originally designed for open-pit blasting as a fully programmable , accurate and easy-to-use electronic delay detonator system . In 2018 , its functionality was expanded to cater to the underground sector and , since then , the company has developed the AXXIS Titanium™ and AXXIS Silver™ offerings .
Hariparsad told IM that the future AXXIS roadmap included a series of feature upgrades that deliver more efficiency , larger blasts and limit customer pain points through the blasting process .
XPLOLOG allows mines to monitor their block progress in real time and to continuously improve the quality of blasts , according to Ralf Hannecke
54 International Mining | AUGUST 2023