Dyno Nobel Improves Blasting Practices at Ridgeway PDF
Dyno Nobel Improves Blasting Practices at Ridgeway PDF
Dyno Nobel Improves Blasting Practices at Ridgeway PDF
Project Summary
Project Goals
UNDERSTANDING THE EFFECT OF DRILL AND BLAST ACTIVITIES ON ORE RECOVERY
The major goal of the project was to understand the effects of pre-charging on explosive properties and blast performance. Pre-charging, as practiced at the mine required the bulk emulsion explosive, detonator and primer to be installed in each blasthole in the ring, at least two rings back from the next ring to be blasted. The effects of explosive sleep time and repeated shocks from blasting adjacent rings were identified as potential issues. A series of trials successfully established the most appropriate loading and sleep time criteria for Ridgeway Mines pre-charging practices. The results of the trials helped to guide the development of the next generation of emulsion explosives for use in underground pre-charging operations.
Background
Ridgeway Gold Mine is an underground sublevel caving operation owned and managed by Newcrest Mining Ltd. The mine is located near Orange in NSW. Gold and copper ore are extracted using a mechanized fleet and delivered to the surface through an underground crushing and conveying system.
Value Added
EXPLOSIVE RESULTS GAINED BY REDUCING SLEEP TIME
The results of the trials confirmed the need to load the precharged rings with a 1.2 g/cc density bulk emulsion and to limit sleep time to less than 28 days. With these limits in place, the performance of the explosive in terms of fragmentation and hang-ups has improved significantly. The change to 1.2g/cc emulsion explosive is providing greater explosive shock energy. Importantly, the safety and efficiency of the sublevel caving operation at Ridgeway has been improved. The improved pre-charging practices have realized direct cost savings as well.
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DYNO NOBEL ASIA PACIFIC PTY LIMITED or its affiliates as to the applicability of any procedures to any particular situation or circumstance or as to the completeness or accuracy of any information contained herein. User assumes sole responsibility for all results and consequences.