Trial, Error and Success — Finding the Right Blasting Technology Pays Off
Blasting specialist Dyno Nobel recently reported on an interesting and effective blasting-optimization project at an unidentified surface mine. The project, according to the bulk product manager, Dave Hunsaker, required working closely with the customer to determine if benefits could be derived through the introduction and implementation of selected Dyno Nobel Titan bulk explosives technologies.
In past years, the mine traditionally used only augured emulsion/ANFO blends. Wet holes were dewatered and loaded with the same blend normally used for dry hole applications. The benefit of this is that the mine was able to utilize one pattern for both wet and dry holes. Patterns vary from bench to bench, based on the different geological formations found throughout the pit. Once the 16-inch-diameter holes are drilled, it’s not uncommon for them to be loaded and “slept” for several weeks at a time.
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Greens Creek Moves to Automated Loading With Sandvik System
Sandvik announced that Hecla Mining Co.’s Greens Creek operation is the first U.S. underground mine to employ its AutoMine loading technology. The move to Automine Lite-controlled automated loading, according to Sandvik, will enable increased productivity, improved safety and better cost control, while bringing digitalization of the mining process closer and increasing operational transparency.
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Battery Electric Vehicles Underground Guideline Successfully Published
The Global Mining Standards and Guidelines Group (GMSG) and the Canadian Mining Innovation Council (CMIC) published the Recommended Practices for Battery Electric Vehicles in Underground Mining Guideline. This document, according to GMSG, is meant to serve as a blueprint for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to move forward in research and development, and references existing standards and guidelines related to battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Before this publication, said GMSG, there were no documents specifically related to BEVs in underground mining environments.
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