Wireless Blasting in Underground Mines

Wireless Blasting in Underground Mines

We all know that the entire Mining Industry is moving rapidly towards an automated future systems and it is constantly changing & challenging field for the upcoming future targets too be achieved with safety in the highest priority.

Although, Traditional practice of using wired detonators in underground mining has a limited distance of initiation from the blasting face and draw points in sublevel cave mines, which can be replaced with precise, accurate and reliable system developed by the Orica Group.

Working:-

The system is similar to the signalling of nuclear submarines even while they were hundreds of metres below the ocean.This technology uses low frequency magnetic induction waves to communicate. The signals are generated by a transmitter and received by each primer prior to a blast.The primers are encoded with their group ID and delay time just prior to charging.This data is “stored” in the primer and detonator respectively.The primer goes into standby mode soon after charging, where it wakes up every few minutes to check for a wake-up signal.If a blast is planned a wake-up signal goes out to all primers. They are then synchronised and, if in the group to be fired, go into armed mode. The firing command is a second unique signal adding an additional layer of security to the system.

Components:-

Wireless electronic blasting system consists of three components:-
1) Wireless Primer
2) Encoder Controller
3) Firing System

1) Wireless  Primer:- The Wireless Primer is the source of blast initiation and consists of three components:

A)   Plugin:- Accurate and fully programmable detonator  with  millisecond  timing  accuracy which  can be assigned delays up to 30 seconds.

B)   Receiver:-  Electronic detonator  plugs into a receiver comprising a multi directional antenna, and a battery which serves as the in-hole power source  with two year shelf life and is designed for up to six  months in-hole sleep time.

C)   Booster:- Securely locks onto the unit  at the time of charging a blast hole.

D)   Retention  Devices:- A range of accessories ensure the Wireless Primer is user friendly at the blast hole including "Tether Lock" & "Spider Retainer".

2) Encoder  Controller:- The Encoder  Controller  programs  every  individual Wireless Primer with its own unique encrypted code. This Encoder contributes to the inherent safety of the system, and programs each Wireless Primer with two codes. The first code is a unique Group Identity Number (GID) which is for exclusive use at each mine and assigned to specified groups of primers which will sleep, wake and fire together. The second code is a ‘Delay time’ which is specific to the wireless primer and blast design.

3) The firing system consists of the following components:

A)  Transmitter: Generates the electrical signal for the antenna to communicate with the DRX in the  blastholes.

B)   Transmitter  Controller: Controls the transmitter  and  supplies  required  commands for  a DRX Group.

C)   Antennas: Four loop portable for near transmission or 40 m loop for deep transmission.

Antennas

Advantages:-

1-Step-change in In-hole initiation.
2-Re-Drilling Blast hole.
3-Eliminate misfires.
4-Automating Drill and Blast operations
5-Firing commands can communicate through Rock, Water and Air.
6-Eliminates physical connection to each primer.

These are the latest trends in Mining developed exclusively by the Orica Blasting solutions.
Source-Google