Early 2019 Hemlo’s management team approached Orica and Manroc to explore opportunities for improvement via the application of wireless blast initiation. Through a series of workshops, Orica and Barrick Hemlo worked together to identify opportunities to use WebGenTM 100 wireless through the earth initiation technology in their Blind Alimak Mining Application.
The results of the project stope were extremely positive and proved that wireless blast initiation can improve the economics of the Alimak stoping. Key benefits included significantly reduced personal exposure, increased stope recovery and cycle time. The success of the Alimak has also led to the introduction of wireless blasting into large blind up-hole patterns at Barrick Hemlo, solving similar issues to that of the Alimaks.
The outcomes of this project delivered a 40% improvement in productivity through decreased cycle time, faster mucking rates, improved ore recovery from 70% to over 90%, and increased safety by eliminating countless re-entries and hookups while stripping rail and logistically simplifying the operations process.
Recovery improvement and productivity gains delivered significant value and increased revenue for the customer. The project has also shown the ability to increase the height of blind Alimak stopes without concern for available void thereby eliminating the need of top sill development moving forward.
Author: Adam Aubin.
