Signature Hole Analysis & DigiShot® Plus reduce blasting complaints
Document type: Case Study

Signature Hole Analysis & DigiShot® Plus
 Reduce Blasting Complaints

Project Summary
MATCHING DELAY FIRING TIMES TO THE
LOCAL GEOLOGY ELIMINATES NEIGHBOR
COMPLAINTS WHILE IMPROVING
PRODUCTIVITY
At this Powder River Basin coal mine, pit development
was moving blasting operations closer to an adjacent
community. Blast event complaints and concerns over vibration effects footprint and minimize or eliminate
blast effects threatened to cause this western coal mine complaints that were increasing the risk of possible
to have to look at radical changes to their blasting litigation or regulatory restrictions to blasting operations. program. With concerns over cost, the solution could not result in
Signature Hole Analysis (SHA) was used to determine an increase in overall drilling and blasting costs to the
optimal delay firing times for the local geology to mine. This is a common customer request, however,
 ®
minimize blast induced ground vibration. DigiShot Plus many mining operations find it difficult to place an actual
programmable electronic detonators ensured the desired value on time and effort related to handling blast related
delay timing is achieved for each blast event. Since the complaints. implementation of SHA, complaints from the neighboring
community have disappeared.

ime and effort related to handling blast related
delay timing is achieved for each blast event. Since the complaints. implementation of SHA, complaints from the neighboring
community have disappeared. Project Goals
The effectiveness of the SHA process with precision
electronic detonators was confirmed when the mine
 REDUCING OVERPRESSURE AND VIBRATION
reverted back to traditional nonelectric delays for a EFFECTS ON THE COMMUNITY WHILE
month. The blast related neighbor complaints returned INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY
for about a three week period until alternative timing While minimizing community impact was the primary
sequences and electronic initiation was re-introduced, at goal at this mine, controlling mine production costs
which time complaints from neighboring property owners required a more complex solution. Any increase in
ceased immediately. blasting expenses with the use of electronic initiation had
 to be offset by improvements in productivity and
 Background efficiency that would offset any potential mine production
 cost impact. INCREASING COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS By using Signature Hole Analysis, it was planned that no
OVER COST CREATED A CHALLENGE FOR changes would have to be made to the basic blast plan,
DYNO NOBEL minimizing the need for wholesale changes that would
As blasting operations advanced closer to nearby involve the engineers, drilling crew and blast crew.

o be made to the basic blast plan,
DYNO NOBEL minimizing the need for wholesale changes that would
As blasting operations advanced closer to nearby involve the engineers, drilling crew and blast crew. The
residents of this western coal mining community, the solution was designed to be simple with only introducing
mine staff came to Dyno Nobel to provide a solution that DigiShot Plus and taking advantage of SHA software to
would reduce the blast related community ground

Signature Hole Analysis & DigiShot® Plus
 Reduce Blasting Complaints

determine better blast initiation delay times both along
each row and between the rows.

Technology Applied
SIGNATURE HOLE ANALYSIS DETERMINED
OPTIMUM FIRING TIMES TO ACHIEVE
VIBRATION GOALS. DIGISHOT PLUS
DETONATORS ENSURED EVERY BLAST WAS
A SUCCESS
In order to determine firing times that would create active
wave cancellation in the blast, the Alpha-Blast waveform
 Using data from single hole test blasts, and electronic
analysis tool was used to develop a new blast timing
 detonators, optimum delay intervals were determined
plan. New initiation sequences were identified that would
 that allowed the blast team to make significant
work with the characteristics of the local geology to
 reductions in vibration and overpressure. With the
effectively minimize hole to hole vibration. DigiShot Plus system, the transition to electronic
The identification of optimum delay intervals can only be detonators was made easily, allowing the mine to
effective in vibration control if the desired firing times can continue blasting operations without any delays or
be achieved with every hole, in every shot. The confusion.

asily, allowing the mine to
effective in vibration control if the desired firing times can continue blasting operations without any delays or
be achieved with every hole, in every shot. The confusion. precision of the DigiShot Plus electronic detonator
 Immediately upon changing to new delay timing
ensures that destructive cancellation of transient
 solutions and incorporating the DigiShot Plus electronic
vibration energy is achieved between every hole in the
 initiation system, complaints from the community ceased
shot, resulting in minimum vibration at nearby
 completely. The only complaints received by this
residences. operation since these changes were made occurred
 when the mine utilized standard pyrotechnic detonators
 Value Added already in inventory. DELAY SEQUENCES MODELED FROM TEST In addition to meeting the goal of reduced community
HOLES RESULTED IN REDUCED VIBRATION perception of blasting activities, this mine has realized
 improved diggability and floor control, resulting in
AND AN ELIMINATION OF COMPLAINTS WHEN
 production gains more than offsetting any additional
PUT INTO PRACTICE. DIGISHOT PLUS
 costs associated with the implementation of the DigiShot
PRECISION PROVIDES FOR BETTER Plus initiation system. DIGGABILITY, FLOOR CONTROL AND
OVERALL PRODUCTION GAINS

Disclaimer This case study is provided for informational purposes only. No representation or warranty is made or intended by DYNO NOBEL INC. /
DYNO NOBEL ASIA PACIFIC PTY LIMITED or its affiliates as to the applicability of any procedures to any particular situation or circumstance or as to
the completeness or accuracy of any information contained herein. User assumes sole responsibility for all results and consequences.

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©2012 Dyno Nobel