Modern Quarrying April-May 2016

Multiple vector initiation points.

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BME blast sets world record Daunia Open Cut coal mine in the north-eastern state of Queensland, Australia, has broken the world record for the largest electronic detonator blast ever – firing 5 665 detonators in 2 683 blastholes using the AXXIS™ digital detonation sys- tem from BME. The mine had last year set a previous record for the largest AXXIS™- controlled blast to date, when it success- fully initiated 4 303 detonators in a single blast to break 2,8-millionm 3 of overburden. Situated in the Australia’s largest

“The use of the AXXIS system and electronic detonators allowed the mine to better control and manage the shock waves and rock movement arising from the faulty ground conditions,” says Grant. “The size and success of the blast demon- strates both the ease of use and the con- fidence that the client has in the system. Very few, if any, other electronic detona- tor suppliers empower clients to conduct blasts of this magnitude and complexity on their own.” To design the blast, the Daunia team used BME’s blast design software BlastMap III, which was developed as an integral part of the AXXIS™ system. The program allows complex timing designs and analysis of the results for each blast, and has just been released in an updated, second-generation version – BlastMap GII. www.bme.co.za

slide over each other during a blast; when using non-electric detonators, there is a possibility of the product being snapped by this movement of ground before it can be detonated, resulting in a misfire. “These misfires are eliminated with electronics, as the detonator operates as a stand-alone entity the instant you push the ‘fire’ button,” says Trevor Grant, MD of the Australia-based blasting optimisation company Advanced Initiating Systems (AIS). The latest record blast was prepared and carried out by Daunia staff using a single initiation point and one master control box. The blasting team was ini- tially trained and certified by AIS, who are supplied by leading explosives firm BME; both companies are subsidiaries of diver- sified agricultural, mining and chemicals group Omnia Holdings, which is listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange.

coalfield – the Bowen Basin – Daunia has taken advantage of the benefits of electronic detonation to conduct larger blasts; this generates greater operational efficiencies by reducing the number of mine stoppages that must take place every time blasting is conducted. The mine also chose this technology in response to its faulty ground condi- tions. If not well controlled, faults tend to

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