DynoConsult Helps Create Habitats for Endangered Bats
Document type: Case Study
Categories: Case Study

DYNOCONSULT HELPS CREATE AT A GLANCE
HABITATS FOR ENDANGERED
BAT SPECIES IN CANADA HABITATS CREATED
 FOR ENDANGERED
 BAT SPECIES
BACKGROUND
 CHALLENGE
A QUARRY CLOSURE PLAN INCLUDES ARTIFICIAL BAT • Safely create artificial bat caves for
HABITAT CONSTRUCTION endangered species of Little Brown
In August 2023, DynoConsult’s assistance was requested in a unique Bats with a one-month time limit
quarry closure plan in Northern British Columbia, Canada. The project
scope required the creation of artificial bat caves to help provide homes SOLUTION
 CASE STUDY
to some local species.

The project involved making caves with depths of either 20 meters or 30
 • Use DynoConsult’s expertise and
 DigiShot electronic detonators to
meters. The caves needed to be created in a short amount of time in two safely and accurately blast rock
different areas of the abandoned quarry.
 OUTCOME
The caves were designed for a breed of Little Brown Bats, which are • Artificial bat caves successfully
endangered. These bats have not fallen victim to White Nose Syndrome, created as homes for
a fungal disease that decimates bat populations, so creating the desired Little Brown Bats
caves would allow the bats to remain healthy and grow their population.

DynoConsult was
 able to provide
 critical guidance,
 blending their underground
 experience with our unique
 project... DynoConsult
 helped completely turn
 around our project and was
 a large part of our success.

- Partnering Company Employee
 Endangered Little Brown Bat

PROJECT GOALS PRODUCTS/
 TECHNOLOGY &
CAVE CREATION ON A SHORT TIMELINE SERVICES USED
The client specified a one-month time frame with a hard stop on a certain
day in order to allow bats in neighboring caves to begin their hibernation
cycle without human interference. It was important to ensure accuracy DYNOCONSULT
and safety throughout the duration of the project.

An acceptable tolerance was established for drillhole deviation through
the drill set-up process. It was determined the drillholes could not trend
downward enough so that the toe would be at a lower elevation than the DIGISHOT
collar. This would ensure proper drainage within the cave to prevent the
bats from drowning.

CASE STUDY
Because these caves were to be used as homes for bats, it was important
to ensure all explosives were consumed in the blasting process. The ground in this area was bedded and could have led
to product dislocation or ejection. Because other bat caves with the same Little Brown Bats were located nearby, the team
needed to keep vibrations and air overpressure at a minimum to maintain non-invasive/intrusive behavior.

TECHNOLOGY APPLIED
DYNOCONSULT’S EXPERTISE AND DIGISHOT ELECTRONIC DETONATORS
To reduce the amount of time required
to align the drill, holes were surveyed
as soon as they were completed. This
allowed the drill to remain in position
in case redrilling was necessary. A
borehole deviation probe that takes
360-degree measurements at desired
increments to provide a visual and
numerical representation of the hole
was also used. This allowed the team
to determine if holes needed redrilling.

Two measures were taken to ensure all
the explosives were consumed in the
blast. First, multiple DigiShot detonators
were used throughout the explosive Borehole Deviation Survey Side View
column. This helped ensure all of the
product was primed in case of any gaps. By initiating these detonators at the same time, the amount of time required for
all explosives to be consumed and the possibility of product ejection or dislocation were reduced. Second, velocity of
detonation (VOD) measurements were also collected for a visual representation of the powder consumption to determine
everything initiated.

Calculations were made to predict expected vibrations, but collecting real-time data was necessary to determine any
impact on the nearby caves. The prediction calculators were also calibrated with in-field data for more accurate predictions.

VALUE ADDED
NEW BAT HABITATS CREATED
The project was successful because of the technology used, the team’s industry experience, and accurate calculations.
Through the length of the project, a minimum of 4 contracted companies worked together with the same end goal in mind:
safe and successful bat cave creation. Without a doubt, this project would not have been successfully completed on time
without all parties involved working together as a team.

An individual from Glacier Blasting, one of the companies that worked on the project, said this about the support given
from Dyno Nobel’s DynoConsult team: “Glacier Blasting was engaged to provide bat habitats in a first-of-its-kind project.
The bat hibernacula needed to be 20-30 meters deep, horizontally into the side of a quarry. By working closely with the
Glacier Blasting team, DynoConsult was able to provide critical guidance, blending their underground experience with
our unique project. We were able to successfully create bat hibernacula, with our holes self-clearing to 28+ meters.
DynoConsult helped completely turn around our project and was a large part of our success.”

Artificial Bat Cave

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