EXPLOSIVES & BLASTING
Using data analytics to boost fragmentation
Sandvik ’ s iSeries rotary drilling rigs and Dyno Nobel ’ s digital blasting solutions offer two powerful tools that , when paired together , are designed to help customers achieve optimal fragmentation .
There are many things that go into obtaining the ideal blast , according to Jeff Averett , Senior Manager , Bulk Products and Delivery Systems for Dyno Nobel . An optimal blast causes the best mineral recovery and the lowest cost . Achieving the ideal blast requires safety , accuracy and precision , sequence and training , and quality and efficiency . Safety must be a priority across all avenues – safe equipment , safe people and safe operations . The correct materials must be utilised to ensure the blast is contained within the blast radius with minimal flyrock .
In terms of accuracy and precision , GPS is available to help operations get everything in the right place and in the correct location and depth for each drilled hole , while also ensuring the correct ratio , density and quantity of the blasting element .
For sequence and training , an operator needs to know where to blast first and how to use the equipment properly . “ Getting the sequencing and timing right is crucial ,” Averett says . “ If we are off track early on in that cycle , it can have a huge impact downstream .”
Quality and efficiency are important as well . The blast must be designed correctly with the holes in the right place at the right depth . This will result in maximum fragmentation at minimum costs in the least amount of time .
But the optimal blast is just the tip of the iceberg . The optimal blast leads to consumable selection and life , tailored blasting parameters , efficient production planning , better management planning , improved productivity , increased life of ground engaging tools ( GET ), greater mineral recovery and optimised energy usage .
“ Once you have the data and information back , you can improve your whole process ,” Demetre Harris , Product Line Manager , Surface Drilling Automation , Rotary , Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions , says . “ It ’ s all about the data .”
Sandvik Intelligent iSeries Rotary Blasthole
Drills look at achieving all these results to improve the overall process . Sandvik ’ s Surface Drilling Solutions including tooling , automation , and digital solutions , and the parts and services team all work together to help make operations more efficient . “ All of these components play an important role ,” Harris says . iDrill Navigation is the first step in ensuring an optimal blast , Sandvik says . It has GPS plan selection and navigation . Once 3D GPS Drilling is enabled , the next step involves selecting the drill plan to be completed . The system displays all plans currently loaded on the solution . There are three methods for creating and loading drill plans : over a wireless network , via a USB drive brought to the equipment , or on board the drill based on the current position of the equipment . The solution will then inform the operator of the number of holes drilled and the total depth drilled . Once the plan is loaded , the operator has instant visibility of the pattern , the holes that were completed to plan , the holes that were not completed according to plan and the next hole assigned . Sandvik ’ s solution updates the position to the operator at slightly under 50 Hz , which , it says , makes it easier for the operator to achieve precise positioning , while also reducing lagging .
The drilling interface features the primary drilling view , which provides the operator instant access to various machine measurements including the feed pressure , rotary head RPM and water flushing pressure . “ The system can be tailored based on what data helps the operator ,” Harris says .
All the sensor data can be pulled at a configurable depth interval , which is automatically set to every 50 mm , available on Sandvik iSeries Rotary and Boom drills . The data can then be passed to Sandvik ’ s office
If utilising Sandvik ’ s iSeries smart drill with TITAN 1000 E , plus the E Bulk Truck , there will be optimised placement of explosives energy in the borehole , according to Averett
solution and made available for analysis by mine employees and third-party solutions through the REST Application Programming Interface or the SQL Reporting Database
Dyno Nobel ’ s ΔE2 System is available and has been proven to work well in a variety of materials and conditions . If utilising Sandvik ’ s iSeries smart drill with TITAN 1000 E , plus the E Bulk Truck , there will be optimised placement of explosives energy in the borehole , according to Averett .
It ’ s also important to optimise the explosive data , with Dyno Nobel seeing it as a cyclical item .
By constantly improving thanks to analysis of that data , operations are not under blasting or over blasting .
The results of the data allow operators to put the energy where it is needed . Some of the results Dyno Nobel has seen include tightening up fragmentation models , reducing oversize and undersize because operators are targeting the energy where it needs to go .
Drilling data from Sandvik drills coupled with a highly automated bulk loading system matches explosives energy to where it ’ s needed in the rock mass , according to Sandvik . “ Tying the actual data back to your plan data is very beneficial ,” Averett says .
Highly refined product with variable densities provides the ability to match detonation pressure to rock type , and it allows tuning of fragmentation to optimise the downstream processes .
“ It ’ s much easier and more efficient , and less expensive , to do it upfront rather than
and wall control but without any NOx gas , nitrates or ammonia .”
This trialling includes stints at Boliden ’ s Kankberg mine and a recent test at a Skanskaowned tunnelling project in Norway .
The company also has new trial sites lined up in the Nordic region – including at Boliden-owned Garpenberg – followed by sites in central Europe and North America . Gustavsson said one of the biggest inhibitors to wider use of the product could come in gaining approval from regulators for its use .
“ So far , the technology is very similar in terms of use to the status-quo ; some operational considerations are currently present but nothing that would have significant impact on
implementation . As the product is completely new , one challenge is regulation , as the current legal framework ( in Sweden ) is not adapted to nitrate-free solutions . However , these hurdles have been overcome due to close dialogue with Swedish authorities .”
Hypex Bio has developed its own production plant to scale-up supply of the environmentally
58 International Mining | AUGUST 2023