Document Type
Conference Paper
Publication Date
2015
Abstract
There are several blast initiation systems available on the market; these form a large component of the performance of each blast. Each available system has its own advantages and disadvantages which can affect the fragmentation of each blast, which in turn can affect downstream processes such as digging and hauling of material. This study was conducted to determine if there were monetary savings opportunities due to an increase in fragmentation (and hence downstream productivity) due to the use of an electronic blast initiation system over a pyrotechnic blast initiation system. It was completed using data collected from an open cut metallurgical coal mine in Queensland that agreed to be used as a case study. Statistical analysis of data was completed in order to identify if downstream productivity had increased, with the results from this being used to calculate potential savings opportunities. The results of this study suggest that there are increases in productivity during loading and hauling, which lead to significant savings opportunities when using an electronic blast initiation system.
Publication Details
Edward Hay and Saiied Mostafa Aminossadati, Monetary Savings Opportunities of Electronic Blast Initiation Systems, 15th Coal Operators' Conference, University of Wollongong, The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and Mine Managers Association of Australia, 2015, 321-329.