The development of a wireless initiation system has created new possibilities to re-think conventional mining methods. Until now, blast designs have been limited by lead wires of conventional initiation systems that are needed to transfer signals to detonators.
With Orica’s wireless WebGen™ initiation system, several benefits can be achieved:
•Improved mine lay-out due to improved ore production per development meter.
•Increase stope height with longitudinal stopes as the upper section and lower section of the blast can simultaneously be drilled and charged (on top of each other).
•Improved rotation of transverse stopes can be achieved with less production cycles.
•Rock mechanical unstable stopes, which cannot be re-entered after the first blast can be pre-charged at once and blasted in several pre-defined sections.
•Stopes in risk areas, nearby stopes with low quality paste fill, can be pre-charged and blasted without returning of crew.
Design parameters and results for longitudinal and transverse blind up holes are discussed in the paper.
Author: Jari Näsi
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