World's first implementation of wireless initiation into a sub-level cave mine
CMOC Northparkes is an underground copper mine located near Parkes, New South Wales, Australia. The mine uses a combination of block caving and sub-level caving mining methods to process 6.5 million tons per annum of ore. With a vision of being a technological leader within the industry, Northparkes was keen to trial and implement a pre-charging blasting program into the sub-level cave part of the operation using Orica’s WebGen™ 100 wireless initiation system.
The Situation
The sub-level cave operations were mining a wedge of pre-conditioned ground that was unable to be mined through the original Lift 1 block cave. Combined with the geology of the ore body and conventional blasting methods, a significant amount of rework due to overbreak, dislocations and collars were being generated. With the presence of overbreak , charging was often being conducted with a reduced burden on the brow necessitating shotcreting of the brow to reduce rockfall exposure risk to the charge crew.
The primary goal for the introduction of pre-charging to the sub-level cave was to significantly reduce the exposure risk to employees and equipment from the brow loss and rework. However, pre-charging using wired or tubed initiation systems was not possible due to pre-conditioned ground and poor ground conditions near the existing cave. This was a key roadblock for Nothparkes to achieving the optimal performance from the sub-level caving operation.
Technical Solutions
In 2018, Orica was looking for a foundation partner to lead the way in the application of wireless initiation in blasting. The opportunity to apply the leading-edge technology of Orica’s WebGen™ 100 wireless initiation system resonated with the Northparkes’ vision and the mine committed to a 24-ring demonstration.
The Result
The trial was undertaken in 2018 using the WebGen™ 100 Firing Service with an Orica WebGen™ Engineer on site seven days a week. Northparkes took a partnership approach to the trial and worked with the Orica WebGen™ engineers in completing a detailed baseline and performance analysis of pre-charging using a wireless initiation system. The results were significant.
To read the whole Case Study and the Testimonial from CMOC Northparkes, please download it here>