DRILL & BLAST
vibration can be made possible via proper blast-design, monitoring and controlling the charge per delay. With signature-hole blasting and improved simulation techniques, ground vibration in mega-blast scenarios can be checked eff ectively. Wherever necessary, controlled blasting techniques (such as pre-splitting, muffl e-blasting, or the use of multi- decked in-hole delay timing), should be applied.
There has been some talk about robots in mining and their potential use in the blasting sector. What do you think about the real-world potential of such concepts?
PDS: I know in some developed countries, research teams are trialling and developing various ranges of giant robotic mining devices that will either operate themselves under direct human supervision or else be driven from a safe, remote location. It is all about getting people out of hazardous environments. In the dangerous blasting, priming and charging operations we may see some development in the operation of robotic systems. Also, the introduction of robotic drilling and blasting devices for inducing controlled caving underground would be a great help.
What – if anything – can be done to make blasting cheaper?
PDS: To make the whole mining operation cost eff ective, larger operations are taking place to use economies of scale, which require much bigger blasts using higher quantities of explosives per blast. Reducing the adverse aff ects is becoming more challenging by the day. Maybe we should not expect cheaper blasts, but more precise and sophisticated blasts.
Maybe we should not expect cheaper blasts, but more precise and sophisticated blasts
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How will VOD measurements be improved in the future?
PDS: Now we are facing constrains in the measurement of VOD of explosives at the time of use. It is a well known fact that the VOD is the most important parameter to be known by the blasting engineer designing and carrying out the blast. ‘In-hole’ VOD meters have been developed, but their use is limited in the mining industry. T ere should be more frequent use of these.
What is the best way to eliminate misfi res?
PDS: As initiation systems go more towards digitisation, the health of detonators and their connections can be monitored more easily. T is provides the possibility of eliminating misfi res.
What will the industry be like in 10 years?
PDS: Blasting will be much more precise, with more computer simulations and digital techniques. With so many changes on the horizon to make the blasting and mining process more effi cient, safer, environmentally friendly, precise and robotic, the challenges will be numerous. T e industry has to continue to produce top quality mining engineers; people in tune with such changes. ●
ne of Partha’s recent blog entries
focused on the trial of Dyno Nobel’s Diff erential Energy blasting system at a US gold mine. This trial took place back in 2013 and was deemed a major success on three fronts: improving fragmentation; reducing fumes; and increasing ore production. Dyno Nobel’s
Diff erential Energy explosive delivery technology allows mine operators to precisely vary the characteristics of the bulk explosive in the borehole to match rock properties and address specifi c needs. The system is delivered through specially designed bulk trucks using proprietary down-the-hole automatic gassing technology with Dyno Nobel’s Titan ∆E 1,000 bulk explosive
www.engineerlive.com 9
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