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By Frank Hirthammer

Since the introduction of the Explosives Track & Trace in Europe in 2014 for manufacturers and 2015 for end-users, a lot has changed in all areas of the supply chain and the use of explosives. The regional associations, manufacturers' organizations, and trade associations have proven that it is possible to overcome a hurdle, that looks almost impossible in the beginning, through consistent cooperation. The paper gives an insight into the problems involved in introducing such a requirement, identifies ways and solutions, and concludes them. When looking at the current situation, the paper describes the process by which a prescribed change in business processes are transforming into a solution that increases productivity, security, and handling. It shows examples from daily work, in which possibilities for optimization, improved quality assurance, and work facilitation are explained. It presents the resulting potential by comparing process flows, before and after the introduction of Track & Trace solutions. What challenges will we face in the future concerning the use of T&T solutions? Will the tracking of explosives become the norm worldwide? What are future hardware and software developments to be expected? What impact will this have on the global supply chain?

By Scott Rosenthal, Kyle Murphy

This paper discusses the trials and tribulations of obtaining Velocity of Detonation (VOD) readings in small diameter blast holes in an underground mine.

Feb 1, 2020

By Christodoulos Xiouris, Ali Reza, James Karnesky

A rocket parachute signal flare is often used to signal a maritime emergency. In the general operation of these devices, a solid rocket motor propels a metal body to an altitude of approximately 1000 ft(305m).At the end of the rocket motor, a propelling charge drives a signal flare and parachute out of the metal body and ignites the flare, which then burns for approximately 40 seconds as it falls to earth. In this paper, we describe an engineering investigation of an accidental ignition of a rocket parachute signal flare, which caused injury to the user. The components of the flare involved in the accident were inspected via x-ray and microscopic imaging techniques, and compared with those of unfired flares recovered from the same vessel. Chemical analysis of residue on recovered components from the accident flare was also performed. These comparisons were used to determine the likelihood that the actuation mechanism had been deliberately manipulated. In the subject model of the flare, ignition of the rocket motor is accomplished through a percussion cap which is struck by a firing pin. Prior to activation, the firing pin holds down a pre-compressed spring. We present a comparison of the ignition system of the incident flare with those of other rocket parachute flares, which do not incorporate any stored mechanical energy.

By John Vynne, John Hutchings

There have been a number of recent technological advances in instrumentation for blasthole drills, and more specifically in drill monitoring and HPGPS guidance systems. Likewise, great strides have been made in the development of drill and blast software systems which are user friendly, while providing far greater capability to accurately design and monitor drill and blast patterns.

Jan 1, 2011

By María Rocha, Benjamín Cebrián, Roberto Laredo

"Ring blasting designs have to achieve different goals in order to become efficient whether is done in up hole or downhole fashion. Ore recovery/dilution control, fragmentation and drift integrity all have to be taken into account when selecting parameters such as burden, spacing, linear explosive density and stemming. Blast energy simulation allows identifying contours of rock breakage and fragmentation, thuschoosing a combination of spacing at the end of holes and appropriate burden. Also, simulations are keyto concentrate energy levels on the mid part of the ring while making sure there is not too high of energy concentration around the drift, which integrity is needed for a safe ore mucking."

Jan 1, 2017

By Travis A. Davidsavor, Charles Dowding, David A. Provost, Yonggang Gou

This paper compares measured blast induced strains on operating, full scale, buried pipelines with three similar past studies. The recently performed study represents realistic and modern pipeline blasting techniques combined with modern data acquisition. The evaluation compares measured PPV and strain, as well as calculated stress, at equivalent scaled distances.

Feb 1, 2020

By J. P. Proulx, Richard O’Meara, Ruilin Yang

A blast optimization project was carried out at an Open Pit Metal Mine using the Multiple Blasthole Fragmentation (MBF) Model and the Multiple Seed Waveform (MSW) blast vibration model. The aim of the project was to optimize rock fragmentation of the ore blasts to significantly increase metal recoveries while keeping the blast vibration levels at the highwall under control. The project also examined the blasts in the waste rock using the Fragmentation model to expand the blast pattern and select economical explosives for drill and blast cost savings while minimizing any adverse effect on the dig rates. Two sets of near field signature blasthole tests were conducted in both hard ore and relatively soft waste rock. The information from the near-field signature blasthole vibration was used as input to both the MBF and MSW models, as site specific geological information interacting with blasting. The implementation of the full blast design is also input to the MBF and MSW models. A production blast for each rock type was monitored for blast vibration and rock fragmentation. The full blast information and the blast results are used to calibrate and validate the models. The Fragmentation and Vibration model were established for the two rock types at the mine. At each site the Fragmentation modeling was conducted in parallel to the Vibration modeling to ensure blast vibrations were under control while the rock fragmentation was improved. The Fragmentation MBF and MSW are each an integral part of the blast optimization tool. Various scenarios using different explosives, hole delays and blast patterns were modeled for rock fragmentation and blast vibration. The recommendations from the modeling project were to be field trialed at the mine. The implementation of the recommendations was expected to help the mine significantly in terms of the mining economics, and high wall stability and safety.

By Bilegt Batbold, Bayu Saputra, Chris Batten

The ability to fire multiple blasts simultaneously can provide significant benefits to any open pit mining operation. Reduced blast-related downtime by reducing blast events can increase equipment utilization and maximize material movement. Significant sequencing benefits can also be delivered, associated with reduced equipment relocation. This paper describes the work completed in partnership between Orica and Oyu Tolgoi to successfully demonstrate that combined production-trim and midsplit blasting could be implemented successfully while successfully managing the risk of increased damage to the final walls. The paper details the methodology used to assess key performance measures linked to final wall damage and compares the performance between the following blasting methods. • Free face trim blasting vs. combined production-trim blasting • Presplit blasting vs. midsplit blasting. The results of the initial trial blasts are presented, along with the method agreed by the key site stakeholders for ongoing application. The method used to keep the risk of final wall damage to an acceptable level is explained, along with the benefits delivered to Oyu Tolgoi operations associated with the initial 12 months of application.

Jan 21, 2025

By Bruce R. Leland, Steven H. Smith, John D. Paulson

The USDA - Wildlife Services has been removing beaver dams with explosives for over 30 years. This paper will discuss the history of the explosives program, summarize how we've evolved, and highlight our work removing beaver dams in unique locations.

Feb 1, 2020

By Dale Preece, Joergen Pilz, Zavis Zavodni

An overland conveyor was constructed at a surface coal mine to reduce the truck haul distance and make the operation more efficient. An important element in this system is a truck dump facility to transfer coal from truck to conveyor. Mechanically stabilized earth retaining walls were employed to accommodate the coal processing equipment, including the crusher, in this facility. These retaining walls are close enough to the pits being mined that blasting induced vibrations must be considered in analyses of the wall structural stability.

Jan 1, 2010

By Calvin Konya, Anthony Konya

Presplitting is a form of blasting that when executed properly will create a smooth wall that will minimize secondary conditioning. In recent years, presplitting has become a popular technique to be used in both the mining and construction industries, however, presplitting fails on many occasions because of ‘geologic conditions’. This is typically because of improper explosive loads consisting of overloading and underloading blastholes. In this paper the authors introduce new factors such as a presplit factor which varies for different rock types, selection criteria for the spacing of presplits, and the optimization of explosive load for the technique of Precision Presplitting.

Jan 1, 2017

By Chris Breeds, Larry Leone, Jerry Wallace

One of the Authors was recently retained to provide a professional engineering analysis of the potential impacts from underwater blasts used to enlarge intake tunnels at the Cheesman Dam near Denver in Colorado and to design Blast Protection Bags that could be installed in each tunnel to protect the 100- year old downstream valve structures.

Jan 1, 2012

By Anderson Meireles, Leonardo Soares Chaves, Raul Carretero Hoz, Carlos Eduardo Soares Feliciano, Renato Jacome Costa

The large iron deposits in the northern region of Brazil located in the Amazon Craton have in common the presence of natural cavities. These cavities primarily occur in the upper layer of the ore body, formed above hematite mineralization. Their origin remains a topic of debate, often associated with hydrothermal drainage processes and erosive evolution. Over time, these cavities have become integral to the local environment, each contributing to the regional ecosystem of fauna, flora, and the significance of speleothems found within them. Managing these cavities poses a significant challenge for iron mines in the area. On one hand, they must preserve the cavities from anthropogenic actions, while simultaneously handling heavy equipment and large volumes. In 2023, the development of the mine took place towards the cavity under study, revealing systematic deviations in vibrations recorded during nearby detonations as the blasting got nearer. To address this, a work plan was put in place, emphasizing a straightforward approach: constructing lithology-specific vibration models, defining charge abacuses, and optimizing timing to reduce charge amplification. Implementing this methodology significantly improved adherence to the vibration limit, resulting in an around 50% reduction in standard error. This paper presents the consolidated work that allowed mining activities to continue in the area through controlled blasting, effectively mitigating potential anthropogenic damage in sensitive areas.

Jan 21, 2025

By Tyler Rockley, Carla Reyes

Autonomous fragmentation measurement systems designed for shovels have been in operation for nearly two decades, however fragmentation systems capable of performing in the dynamic conditions of the front-end loaders (FEL) were only recently introduced to the market. This paper presents an in-depth evaluation of an automated digital fragmentation measurement system specifically designed to perform under the dynamic operational conditions of the FEL in two of Teck’s mine sites. As early adopters of this novel application, Teck embarked on a Proof-of-Concept (PoC) trial phase, defining a set of key performance indicators (KPIs) to qualify the performance of the digital solution in tough mining operating environments. The KPIs focused primarily on the hardware robustness, quality of image and segmentation, both day and night, availability of the system and sample ratio. The benefits expected from using this technology include increasing the safety of the current fragmentation measurement process, improving the quality of the analysis, increasing the sample representativeness, and using the attributes of the system to create an oversize detection alert to inform the loading operation process. A critical part of the evaluation was verifying the system’s effectiveness on the particle segmentation algorithm as this element often gets overlooked, especially when dealing with the large number of samples autonomous systems can generate; minor misclassifications due to inadequate segmentation are often dismissed as they might not be statistically significant, however systematic misclassifications can cause unacceptable deviation in the data and limit the intended application of the technology. The system’s performance was further validated through several tests that involved identifying objects of known sizes to ensure the reliability on the consistency of the particles’ segmentation.

Jan 21, 2025

By H. S. Venkatesh, G. Gopinath, R. Balachander, G. C. Naveen

Punatsangchu Hydroelectric Project Authority is constructing 1020 MW underground hydroelectric project in Bhutan. The project envisages construction of concrete dam, Desilting Chamber, Head Race Tunnel, Power House Complex and Tail Race Tunnel. Tunneling is one of the major activity in any underground projects as they are driven for multiple activities. By and large the tunnels are a major part of connecting networks from surface to caverns/underground working sites. Many tunnels in hydropower project are part of water conducting systems and one such important tunnel is the Tail Race Tunnel in this project and had to be excavated in thinly foliated rockmass conditions by D&B method.

Feb 1, 2020

By G. Geremia, M. I. Serrano, L. Costa, Strohaecker

The advances in electronics and the development of more efficient algorithms, allow for the designing of more complex and sophisticated automated systems. The new devices include lighter, faster, reliable, and stronger robot manipulators. One available technology, with relatively low cost, is a simple robot manipulator controlled by remote control. The device has been designed to be used in both mining and law enforcement, where it can be useful for inspection, rescue, gas analysis, and even to manipulate dangerous objects, such as explosives. The applications may even include the rescue of trapped miners in risky environments. The major advantage is the fact that the robot can be controlled with a remote and monitored through a video camera, minimizing human exposure to hazardous areas, where robots can perform tasks in an aggressive atmosphere and confined spaces. This article presents a mining robot manipulator controlled by remote control, using video cameras for positioning and sensors for movements, which are located on the operator's arm. With this system, it is possible to create a sensation of virtual reality, allowing easy operation for anyone trained in dealing with explosives, rescues, or other dangerous tasks. Blasting and mining are becoming perfect applications for robots, and its use should increase very soon. The results are discussed and presented for the brand new Xiru 01 robot manipulator.

Jan 1, 2010

By Tom BoBo, Seth Gering, Jeff Loeb

Presenting a D&B feedback loop built on a well-designed blast, proven fragmentation analysis and blast monitoring solutions, underpinned by technology that not only increases profit from every blast, but also increases a mine’s purchasing power over one of the most expensive part of the process – explosives.

Feb 1, 2020

By Amanda Verno, Danilo Coppe, Andrea Reggiani, Adolfo Bacci

The methodological example that comes from the demolition of the Genoa grain silos, should not been considered as an auto-celebration of a difficult project successfully executed, but should serve as an example of a new generation of demolitions where different technologies, often in competition, come together to obtain the optimal solution of a problem. Dynamite, diamond wire and hydraulic excavators overcame the most impressive building in town, working in very little spaces and on a geotechnically difficult site; moreover, a study on the dynamics and the effects of the impact of the structure, an analysis of the presence of potentially explosive dusts and an extensive vibrometric monitoring supported the design and the development of the operations.

Jan 1, 2005

By C. Liley

Open cut blasting at the Ernest Henry mine has the potential to cause damage to nearby underground workings. This paper is a case study of the blast vibration management project which was conducted to ensure pit blasting did not adversely affect the stability of upper production levels or cause damage to the underground primary fan units.

Jan 1, 2012

By Matthew Graham, Tapan Goswami, Geoff Brent

In dragline coal mining operations, throw blasting is used for the controlled placement of overburden to maximise coal exposure rates or to minimise overburden removal costs. This may necessitate sacrificing thin coal seams, generally less than one metre in thickness, which are often present in proximity to the main coal seam. This represents not only a significant loss of potential revenue and profit but also a waste of a valuable energy resource.

Jan 1, 2010