The situation

In early 2024, Diavik completed a successful evaluation of WebGen™ technology. This led to a strategic decision to implement full wireless blasting across longhole stoping and sublevel cave operations. By late 2024, Orica and Diavik formalised an agreement to expand WebGen™ usage mine-wide.

To support this rollout, Orica deployed four WebGen™ specialists on rotating shifts and installed three WebGen™ 200 antennas across the site. By the end of the year, approximately 50 WebGen™ applications had been executed across 130 blasts, marking a significant operational shift.

Technical solutions

Slot Development Without T-Drifts

WebGen™ was first applied in Sublevel Retreat (SLR) headings in the A154S and A21 underground mine. Traditionally, establishing an SLR level required constructing T-drifts to connect headings an approach that introduced complexity and risk. With WebGen™, lateral “wing” holes adjacent to the slot were preloaded, eliminating the need for T-drifts. This allowed the initial slot blast to be divided into multiple firing events across the full caving profile. Additional production holes were drilled in a fan pattern behind the slot and preloaded to cast ore toward drawpoints, improving recovery—especially in headings where poor ground conditions limited development.

Reducing Development and Simplifying Design

The use of WebGen™ significantly reduced the development required before longhole drilling. It also removed the need to drill slash holes after the initial blast, simplifying the drill and blast design. This streamlined approach improved both safety and efficiency.

Preloading for Flexibility

WebGen™ also enabled Diavik to preload entire stopes, providing greater flexibility during stop conditions. While conventional methods allow only the first lift (1,000–2,000 tonnes) to be preloaded, WebGen™ made it possible to preload the full stope (12,000–18,000 tonnes).

This meant production could resume immediately once conditions were resolved, without additional setup. Preloaded ore inventory became a key performance indicator, with daily tracking and site-wide visibility.

Using WebGen™ to Manage Mudrush Risk at Intersections

WebGen™ was also deployed to mitigate mudrush risk in the SLR zone. Preloading allowed for remote blasting and tele-remote mucking without requiring personnel re-entry—ensuring safety and maintaining production continuity.

Applying WebGen™ to Improve Operational Efficiency

One of the key advantages of WebGen™ is the ability to drill and charge in a single campaign. Unlike conventional cap shot methods, which reuse holes and require drilling in preconditioned ground, single-pass mining eliminates these inefficiencies.

As a result, the re-drill and hole cleaning rate dropped significantly, with a 39% reduction achieved.

The result

Over six months, Diavik achieved a step change in productivity and safety:

• Reduced Development: Eliminated T-drifts and slash holes.
• Improved Efficiency: Lower re-drill rates and simplified designs.
• Enhanced Safety: No re-entry between blasts and reduced mudrush exposure.
• Increased Flexibility: Full stope preloading enabled rapid response to operational delays.

These benefits are especially critical as Diavik approaches the end of its production phase in 2026, transitioning to sill pillars and final ore headings—areas with elevated geotechnical risk.

Acknowledgements

The success of WebGen™ at Diavik was made possible through close collaboration between Orica specialists and Diavik’s underground teams. From technical reviews to training and IT integration, the rollout was supported across all departments.

Weekly onboarding sessions ensured new personnel were informed and engaged. Diavik’s openness to innovation and commitment to safety have positioned it as one of Canada’s leading adopters of WebGen™ technology.

Authors: Jaime Waine, WebGen™ Lead; Bram Marriott, Operations Manager WebGen™ North America.