Centralised Blasting systems - An approach to safety, functionality and cycle efficiency
Document type: Case Study

Centralised Blasting Systems – An Approach
 to Safety, Functionality and Efficiency

To combat this, a radio based remote blasting system was
 Project Summary introduced some years ago to eliminate risks involved with
 initiating blasts from an underground firing location. The
 change ensured the mine was able to only initiate blasts once
IMPROVEMENTS IN BOTH PERSONNEL SAFETY
 the tag board was completely cleared and no personnel were
AND MISFIRE RATES
 left inside the blast zones. This underground mine was employing conventional methods
for the initiation of multiple blasts, but found the end of shift The system was fairly reliable, but without two-way
firing requirements to be time consuming and inefficient. There communication, positive confirmation of initiation was
were also concerns about employee safety when blasts had to impossible, particularly if multiple headings were initiated
be fired from underground. In order to address these issues, simultaneously. Poor radio frequency (RF) communication led
the mine was seeking a reliable, remote initiation system that to numerous misfired headings that consequently resulted in
would ensure the safety of its workforce by having the costly production delays. There were also areas without radio
underground workings clear of personnel prior to firing.

t consequently resulted in
would ensure the safety of its workforce by having the costly production delays. There were also areas without radio
underground workings clear of personnel prior to firing. based remote blasting system RF reception that still had to be
 fired from underground using conventional methods, leaving
After speaking with Dyno Nobel, the mine decided to personnel exposed to blasting activities. ®
implement BlastWeb , a centralised blasting system that is
specifically designed for use in underground mining operations. BlastWeb allows reliable remote initiation of development and Project Goals
production blasting from a safe and controlled location
underground or on the surface. The blast areas can be
completely evacuated as no-one is required to be underground IMPROVE SAFETY AND REDUCE MISFIRES
for the blasting. There were two main project goals being:

In addition to the obvious safety benefits, the other main 1. The ability to fire all blasts from a central location with the
benefit of the system is a reduction in the blast misfire rate. In whole underground complex cleared of personnel
the months following the implementation of BlastWeb, a 2. Minimise the rate of misfired blasts
comparison was made with their superseded radio based
remote blasting system. In the six months prior to the
implementation of BlastWeb, the mine recorded a misfire rate
of 5.4%. In the following months, there were no misfires.

The implementation of Dyno Nobel’s Centralised Blasting
System supports both the safety of the mine employees during
blasting and the elimination of misfires due to communication
errors at firing time.

Project Goals
DIFFICULT AND TIME CONSUMING BLAST
CLEARANCE PROCESS
The mine is developing multiple ore bodies over a vast area
and across multiple levels. Blasts are initiated at the end of
shift with multiple development headings and production blasts
fired across various levels and areas of the mine. With a
multitude of personnel working over this vast area, blast
clearances can be difficult and time consuming.

Centralised Blasting Systems – An Approach
 to Safety, Functionality and Efficiency

Technology Applied Value Added
BLASTWEB FACILITATES SAFE, CENTRALISED BLASTWEB POSITIVELY IMPACTS BOTH THE
BLASTING FROM MINE CONTROL MISFIRE RATE AND PERSONNEL SAFETY
The basis of the BlastWeb system is to enable firing of all The installation of BlastWeb allows the reliable remote initiation
underground blasts from a safe, central location, nominally on of development and production blasting from a safe and
the surface. The system supports easy initiation of NONEL
 ® controlled location underground or on the surface. The blast
detonators to fire development headings, as well as initiating areas can now be evacuated, as no-one is required to be
electronic detonators that are used in more complex production underground for the blasting. This has obvious safety benefits
blasts. for site personnel.

To guarantee robust communication, Ethernet was chosen as The system is easy to use with a shallow learning curve, which
the primary communication medium, rather than conventional in turn supports blast crew acceptance. Within weeks, the shot
modems or RF Leaky Feeder. To ensure a robust installation, crews were capable of operating the system without any
the blast equipment was permanently installed, powered supervision. directly from mains with battery backup capability. This
 As BlastWeb continuously scans the installation, this allows
utilisation of permanently installed equipment eliminated blast
 operators in Mine Control to progressively identify which areas
delays as the nature of portable equipment makes them more
 are available for blasting end of shift. This transparency of
susceptible to damage during transport or failures due to
 when headings are connected assisted Mine Control is
poorly maintained batteries. Primary fire lines were specified
 assessing blasting schedules in real time. to withstand normal abuse in underground mining environment. In the six months prior to the implementation of BlastWeb, an
After the initial infrastructure planning phase; installation,
 analysis of the blasting data showed that out of 961 blasts, 52
commissioning and training was completed within a month. headings misfired, a 5.4% misfire rate.

tructure planning phase; installation,
 analysis of the blasting data showed that out of 961 blasts, 52
commissioning and training was completed within a month. headings misfired, a 5.4% misfire rate. In the six months
Each Blast Control Unit (BCU) has six channels that were
 following the implementation of BlastWeb, out of 212 blasts
terminated in different locations allowing close access to firing
 fired with the system, there were no misfires. These headings
line connection points in nearby working areas. Each channel
 were all fired as planned and on time from Mine Control. The
has the ability to initiate 50 headings using electronic
 results speak for themselves. detonators. Centralised Blasting operations were to be
conducted from Mine Control via PC based software. Using centralised blasting equipment capable of reliably
 initiating both NONEL and electronic detonators has opened
 the door for continued blast optimisation work to further
 improve blasting practices and potentially improve mine
 production.

®

Disclaimer This case study is provided for informational purposes only. No representation or warranty express or implied, 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 and, to the maximum extent permitted by law, each of them
expressly disclaims any and all liability arising from the use of this document or the information contained herein. User assumes sole responsibility for all
results and consequences of such use.
Dyno Nobel Inc. and Dyno Nobel Asia Pacific Pty Limited (ACN 003 269 010) are subsidiaries of Incitec Pivot Limited (ACN 004 080 264) Level 8, 28
Freshwater Place, Southbank Vic 3006.
® DYNO, GROUNDBREAKING PERFORMANCE, NONEL, DYNOCONSULT and the DC device are registered trademarks of the Dyno Nobel / Incitec
Pivot Group. DYNOMINER is a trademark of the Dyno Nobel / Incitec Pivot Group. BLASTWEB is a registered trademark of DetNet South Africa
(Proprietary) Ltd.
 ©2014 Dyno Nobel Inc.