Modern Mining June 2019

PRODUCT News

Orica releases automated fragmentation measurement system

clean coal from less-clean coal. “The low density spiral is essentially a primary and secondary stage on one centre column,” Bornman says. “Rejects are discarded into the centre column and the remaining product is repulped before being sent to a secondary off-take.” Facilitating the two off-takes is a longer spiral on the Multotec SX10. This increases the residence time and gives the particles sufficient time to separate. Depending on the setting of the prod- uct box splitters, this new spiral has the ability to produce a thermal coal and a cok- ing coal on one spiral. Bornman says this was proven through test work done in the USA. The two offtakes enable the removal of most of the gangue leaving a middlings and cleaner coal products to be collected at the dart splitters. Experimental work was carried out using coal from two South African collieries and the unit has also undergone site test work in the USA. Promising results were obtained The system uses binocular cameras and an innovative proprietary hybrid 2D/3D image processing algorithm, overcoming the shortcomings of standard methods which usually apply them independently and lack accuracy. Specifically designed for durability in the harshest of mine operating environments, the hardware can handle temperatures ranging from below minus 30 to above 45 degrees Celsius, across a range of rock types and hardness levels. “FRAGTrack is designed to improve productivity and optimise drill and blast through the integration of fragmentation data into the drill and blast planning and and haulage, and maximising throughput of material during the processing cycle.” FRAGTrack™ delivers accurate and reli- able fragmentation measurements on both face shovels and conveyors. The greater sampling frequency, enabled by the fully autonomous system, provides superior insights, allowing for visualisa- tion and comparative analysis of multiple sample data sets – empowering rapid and improved decision-making for customers. It also delivers enhanced safety benefits through the removal of manual sampling methods on bench, keeping workers away from high-risk operational areas.

The FRAGTrack™ system.

ASX-listed Orica, reputedly the world’s largest manufacturer of commercial explosives and innovative blasting sys- tems, has announced the release of its new automated rock sizing measurement technology, FRAGTrack™. The automated fragmentation mea- surement device, delivered as part of Orica’s BlastIQ™ Digital Blast Optimisation Platform suite, captures real-time fragmen- tation measurement data for optimising drill and blast operations, improving down- stream unit productivity and tracking of operational performance. “Systematic and automated measure- ment and analysis of blast fragmentation provides a basis for continuous improve- ment,” comments Orica’s Vice President – Digital Solutions, Raj Mathiravedu. “Rock size distribution or fragmentation is a critical measure of tracking daily drill and blast per- formance, optimisation of blasting, loading According to Multotec Technology Manager Faan Bornman, the Multotec SX10 low density spiral’s reduced cut point of 1,55 g/cm 3 delivers considerable advan- tages over the cut points of between 1,6 and 1,8 g/cm 3 typically achieved in the industry today. The result, he says, is a cleaner coal with less waste being achieved in a single stage. This saves on capital costs as no fur- ther spiral stages are required for cleaning down the line. The approach taken with the Multotec SX10 spiral is to remove the gangue, or mineral containing particles, from the trough in two off-takes. The first off-take removes ash. This opens up the available separation surface of the spiral, allowing the remaining mate- rial to separate more easily, separating

The FRAGTrack™ shovel-mounted installation (visualisation). design processes,” notes Mathiravedu. “This creates an opportunity for our custom- ers to significantly improve downstream outcomes. “Driven by the needs of our customers to accurately assess blast outcomes includ- ing fragmentation, we continue to invest in developing intelligent and autonomous measurement systems that are easily inte- grated into existing mine ecosystems.” In addition to superior system reliabil- ity, a comprehensive training, support and Customer Success Programme is delivered by Orica’s global network of technical ser- vices engineers and technology experts, ensuring customers realise blast optimi- sation and the associated downstream benefits. Orica, website: www.orica.com

Even cleaner coal with Multotec’s X10 spiral Multotec Gravity Division has taken ‘low cut’ spiral technology to the next level with its new SX10 low density spiral. This further extends the benefits this innovation offers in fine coal beneficiation.

leading to the first order for Multotec SX10 spirals from a North America-based mine. Multotec, website: www.multotec.com Cleaner coal with less waste is achieved in a single stage with the Multotec SX10.

50  MODERN MINING  June 2019