Underground Mining Revolution- How Orica's Blasting Technologies are reshaping the Industry

10 Sep 2024

In the world of underground mining, innovation is not just a buzzword—it's a necessity. As mines delve deeper and face increasingly challenging conditions, the need for advanced technologies becomes paramount.

At the forefront of this technological revolution stands Orica, a company with 150 years of experience in mining and civil blasting. This article explores how Orica's cutting-edge blasting technologies are transforming underground mining operations, enhancing safety, efficiency, and productivity across various mining methods.

 

Orica’s Groundbreaking Blasting Innovations: A New Era in Underground Mining


At the heart of Orica’s underground blasting innovation are three groundbreaking technologies: WebGen™ 200 Underground Pro, the 4D™ Bulk Delivery System, and Avatel™. Each of these technologies addresses crucial challenges in underground mining, from safety enhancements to operational efficiency and improved ore recovery.

WebGen™ 200 Underground Pro: Wireless Blasting Redefined


Leading Orica’s initiating systems technology portfolio is the WebGen™ 200 Underground Pro, the world’s first truly wireless initiating system for underground mining. This second-generation technology uses low-frequency magnetic signals to initiate blasts, capable of transmitting through rock, air, and water. The implications of this innovation are profound:

  • Enhanced Safety: By eliminating the need for physical connections between detonators, WebGen™ significantly reduces the time workers spend in hazardous environments.
  • Increased Productivity: The wireless nature of the system allows for more flexible and efficient blasting designs, leading to improved operational workflows.
  • Cost Reduction: With simplified logistics and reduced labour requirements, WebGen™ contributes to lower operating costs.

Real world impact: The Outokumpu Kemi mine success story 

The effectiveness of WebGen™ technology was demonstrated by its implementation at Outokumpu’s Kemi mine in Finland. The mine faced a specific challenge in recovering ore from the crown pillar between their open-pit and underground workings. Traditional blast designs often left substantial amounts of ore stranded or inaccessible, while standard initiation systems required workers to enter potentially dangerous areas.

Orica partnered with Kemi to introduce a novel crown pillar blasting technique using the WebGen™ wireless blasting system. This innovative approach allowed for:

  • Pre-charging of parallel rings of blast holes
  • Elimination of the need for workers to enter hazardous areas
  • Enhanced ore recovery by removing unrecoverable wedges left by fan-shaped rings

The results were remarkable:

  • Ore recovery exceeded the budget by 92%
  • Total stope volume mined surpassed the plan by 80%
  • Waste extraction was less than 40% of the initial projection

Read the case study here