Above, the ABB Robot Charger detects drilled holes in a rock face and installs explosive charges during mining operations. (Photo: ABB)
ABB announced it completed testing of the industry’s first automated robot charging technology for loading blastholes with explosives at Boliden’s Garpenberg underground zinc mine in Sweden. The ABB Robot Charger automatically detects blastholes and fills them with charges, removing the need for miners to be near the face during blasting sequences.
The tests confirmed the effectiveness of integrating a robot charger with a carrier vehicle, communication with bulk emulsion and vision systems, and incorporating a second robot arm to assemble the primer and detonator. It reportedly had full reach to all borehole levels and areas of the face, and remote control for operators.
The robot uses a vision system to located the drilled holes on the face, ABB said. “These recent tests show all can be reached and charged with the cycle fully automated,” said Vedrana Spudic, head of technology for mining. “This removes the need for human operators in a small, unsupported area right at the face.”
In the final stage of development, the miner alone will control the robot. ABB said it is looking for more miners to join the co-development project.
