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do not exceed regulatory or self-imposed environmental constraints. BLASTMAP includes an advanced through-seam design module, to design explosive loads and initiation times in multiple dipping coal strata.
BLASTMAP imports data from various sources – including third-party software – through its import wizard. This allows text- based files – or specific formats such as DXF files – to be used for conveying data on parameters such as block-out lines on benches, hole depths and charges. BLASTMAP is offered as a standard package for smaller surface-mining operations. BLASTMAP Premium, for larger mines, includes modules that predict fragmentation, vibration and blasted rock radius, with additional modules covering contouring and through-seam design.
Underground blast planning BLASTMAP’s surface applications are complemented by BLASTMAP Underground. Underground functionality incorporates tunnelling and shaft designs, enabling the blaster to interact with two and three-dimensional views of complex designs – to manage hole positions, drilling angles and dimensional compliance. Hole layout design functionality includes body, perimeter, cut, lifter and relief holes, together with timing tools, analysis simulation and prediction. Engineers can achieve the desired fragmentation, clear sufficient space for extraction and reduce extra breakage by controlling ground vibrations. Users can design any block shape, create the required cut design – including perimeter hole design – and add costs and quantities to predict expenses. The software generates technical reports and hole timing analysis and contouring. Users can predict vital aspects of a blast, such as vibration and fragmentation. The Direction of Rock Movement feature indicates the direction the ground will move, according to the firing times and initiation points. A key benefit of BLASTMAP Underground is blast design efficiency, reducing timeframes from days to as little as four hours.
Blast timing and connecting sequences can be displayed and simulated pre-blast, ensuring expected outcomes are achieved. Tracking of precise volumes of explosive mass to be used per hole improves
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management of stock and makes blasts more cost-effective. To ensure global accessibility, the software comes with metric and imperial measurements.
Blasting Guide app
In response to market preferences, BME developed the Blasting Guide app on Android. The IOS-version of the app should be available by the end of 2021. Available for free from the Google Play Store, BME’s Blasting Guide app includes a blast design calculator, and quick and prediction calculators, in both metric and imperial unit measurements. With the app, users all over the world can quickly calculate and check blast designs. Surface blast design rules of thumb, environmental guidelines, a table of common rock properties and a BME contact directory by country are additional features. The blast design calculator utilises user inputs – including burden, spacing, stemming height, sub-drill, hole diameter, bench height and explosive type – to determine explosive loads, powder factors and other outputs. It allows blasters or engineers to plan a blast from start to finish or investigate potential blast patterns for a greenfield site, where numerous
scenarios may be generated for quickly checking calculations. The app’s rules of thumb table – which summarises surface blast design guidelines – can be referenced from the blast design calculator. The quick calculator includes BME’s in-house formulas for target powder factors, as well as the volume of rock to be blasted – either per hole or per blast. Energy equations compare explosives based on their relative bulk strengths, while hole-charging equations determine the mass of explosives going into a hole and gassed emulsion products being loaded. This is useful when determining column lengths and stemming lengths – with gassed or ungassed explosives. The Blasting Guide app’s prediction calculators determine environmental considerations and blasting radius, for guidance on avoiding fly-rock and predicting peak particle velocity and blasted rock projections to establish clearance areas. Soon, the app will include a scale depth of burial tool designed by a world-recognised consultant.
Online technical services Customers are reaping the benefits of virtual communication and remote operations through technology – something that has increased in significance since the outbreak of Covid-19. In response, BME now provides technical blasting services online, giving the industry access to specialists through virtual consultations and solutions.
This online technical blasting service is provided by BME’s in-house technical experts, as well as recognised third-party specialists in blasting, mining and construction. The initial consultation to establish the project scope is free of charge. The service is not limited to BME clients. Services include blast fragmentation distribution prediction for surface greenfield sites, fragmentation distribution optimisation for supporting mine-to-mill initiatives at established surface and underground sites, and rock characterisation and specifications for blasting in hot or reactive ground. BME’s team also provides solutions for highwall blast design and management and novel and disruptive blast design and mining methods. ●
bme.co.za/technical-services-booking-page 47
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