Step change results in significant value added solution
Document type: Case Study

Step Change Results in Significant Value
 Added Solution

Summary

CUSTOMIZED MULTILEVEL APPROACH
The intent of this project was to work closely with
the customer to see if benefits could be derived and
blasting costs reduced through the introduction and
implementation of some of the TITAN® technologies
proposed for this mining complex.

Background
DEWATERING AND OTHER ISSUES WERE A
CHALLENGE
 Project Goals
This particular mine has been in operation for many
years and has traditionally used augured emulsion/ PROJECT GOALS INCLUDED REDUCING
ANFO blends only. Wet holes were dewatered and
 SLUMPING, NOX AND OVERALL COSTS WHILE
loaded with the same blend that would normally be used
 MAINTAINING LOAD RATES
for dry hole applications. The benefit of this is that the
mine was able to utilize one pattern for both wet and dry
 Because the mine had such a bad experience with
holes. Patterns do vary from bench to bench, based on
 gassed emulsions, the first series of tests were designed
the different geological formations found throughout the
 to demonstrate it had the capacity and capability of
pit. preventing the stemming material from migrating
The mine drills 16” holes and it’s not uncommon for blast through the loaded emulsion column. An initial pattern
holes to be loaded and slept for several weeks at a time. was drilled and 10 holes on the end of the pattern were
Water can be a problem in certain areas of the mine loaded with TITAN XL1000. The holes were slept for
making dewatering next to impossible. Several attempts several days and each hole was monitored for slumpage
have been made in past years to pump emulsion blends during this time period.

ere slept for
making dewatering next to impossible. Several attempts several days and each hole was monitored for slumpage
have been made in past years to pump emulsion blends during this time period. in an effort to solve the dewatering and NOx problems The outcome was positive in that none of the holes
associated with auguring product into wet or partially wet slumped at all. Members of the blast crew indicated that
holes. this product seemed to resist slumpage better than the
In the mid 2010 time period, traditional gassed emulsions incumbent product. This pattern was shot successfully
were tested unsuccessfully. Most of the holes loaded with providing the initial confidence the mine operator needed
this product and technology failed to perform properly in order to progress the testing program. because the stemming material used by the mine sank
into the emulsion column causing the down lines to
either sink into the bore hole or to break depending on
the amount of slumpage that occurred.

Step Change Results in Significant Value
 Added Solution
Next, a series of patterns were partially loaded with
TITAN XL 1000 with the intent of comparing a number of
items side by side including:
 1. Visual ground breakage
 2. Hole slumpage
 3. NOx emissions
 4. Loading rates
 5. Cost Reduction
Initial results were positive so over several months, entire
patterns were loaded and shot using TITAN XL1000. The results of the testing showed the visual ground
breakage was very similar, the holes did not slump and DIFFERENTIAL ENERGY technology allowed the
actually were much better than holes loaded with the operators to adjust the explosive energy in each hole
50/50 blend, NOx was eliminated entirely, and production based on the geology. rates were equal. Although the trucks held less product, After DIFFERENTIAL ENERGY was deployed the hard
the delivery rate was 60% faster and the turnaround toe issue went away. A three segment loading scheme
back at the plant took less than half the time it takes to was introduced providing a toe explosives density of 1.28
turn the blend trucks. A substantial cost reduction was g/cc with much lighter densities in the upper portions of
achieved because equal or better performance was the holes depending on the geological formations being
achieved even with a reduction in total pounds being blasted. loaded into the ground.

ortions of
achieved because equal or better performance was the holes depending on the geological formations being
achieved even with a reduction in total pounds being blasted. loaded into the ground. Several months lapsed as equipment was located and
 Value Added
configured to meet the needs of the customer and when
this was completed the site was converted 100% to the
 SIGNIFCANT VALUE ADDED FOR THE
TITAN technology. CUSTOMER
 The value added to the customer included:
 Technology Applied
 1. The volume of explosives loaded into the bore hole
 was reduced up to 9.2% as the process transitioned
TITAN XL – DIFFERENTIAL ENERGY from using heavy ANFO blends to Titan XL 1000 to
 DIFFERENTIAL ENERGY. A significant number of patterns were loaded and shot
over several months after the new trucks arrived. The 2. Powder factors were reduced 13.5% in many areas
shots looked very good from the surface, but as time of the pit while still achieving excellent dig rates and
went on complaints started coming from some of the crusher throughput. shovel operators working in certain areas of the pit 3. Post Blast NOx fumes have been completely
about hard digging in the toe area of the shots. Based eliminated. on this feedback, it was determined that DIFFERENTIAL
ENERGY might provide a better solution to solve the toe 4.

have been completely
about hard digging in the toe area of the shots. Based eliminated. on this feedback, it was determined that DIFFERENTIAL
ENERGY might provide a better solution to solve the toe 4. Trucks were specifically built to accommodate the
issues that had been reported and observed in about loading rates required to maintain production. 30% of the shots.

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 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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