Apparatus and method for designing charges and blasts for stope excavation

Abstract

To provide an apparatus and method for assisting in design of stope charging and blasting in underground stope excavations.SOLUTION: A device (9) includes a data processing device (24) and is provided with data on realized drill holes (27) drilled for a stope. The device is also provided with data on an initial free space (28) located below the stope. The device assists in dividing an initial first stope ring into several blast sections that are blasted in several partial blasts toward the available free space. The device estimates a volume of a rock material and compares an estimated volume with an available free volume, thereby determining whether a selected blast section will fit into the available free space in a blasted expanded state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to stope drilling in underground mines. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus including at least one data processing device for assisting in the design of charging and blasting drill holes in several vertical stope rings for stope drilling.

[0002] The invention further relates to a method for assisting in the design of charging and blasting drill holes in vertical stope rings for stope drilling.

[0003] The field of the invention is more particularly defined in the preambles of the independent claims.

[0004] Stope excavation is an underground mining technique for extracting desired ore from underground mines. Generally, stope excavation typically involves several successive vertical or slightly inclined stope rings of rock material, each blasted separately in partial bursts into a pre-created free space below the stope. After the first stope ring is completely blasted and emptied, free space exists not only below but also laterally for subsequent stope ring blasts. Therefore, blasting the first stope ring is a critical stage because there is only limited free space below the first stope ring. Designing a charge and blasting plan for stope excavation is a demanding and time-consuming task. Furthermore, it should be noted that deficiencies in the charge and blasting plan can result in undesirable variations in blasting results. Summary of the Invention

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved apparatus and method for assisting in the design of vertical stopp ring drill hole charging and blasting.

[0006] The device according to the invention is characterized by the characterizing features of the independent device claim.

[0007] The method according to the invention is characterized by the characterizing features of the independent method claim.

[0008] The disclosed solution concept includes an apparatus for assisting designers in the design of drill hole charging and blasting for several vertical stopp rings utilized in stope excavation in underground mines. Each stopp ring includes two or more parallel or nearly parallel drill hole fans with several downward or upward drill holes. The apparatus includes one or more data processing devices, and is provided with data regarding realized drill holes drilled for the stope and also with data regarding an initial free space located below or at least partially below the stope. The apparatus assists in dividing an initial first stopp ring into several blasted sections configured to be blasted in several partial blasts toward an available free space including at least the initial free space. The apparatus estimates the volume of rock material in selected blasted sections in a solid, unblasted state and in a blasted, expanded state. The apparatus further estimates the volume of available free space in the first stopp ring. Furthermore, the apparatus compares the volume of the selected blasted section in a blasted, expanded state with the volume of available free space, and indicates, based on the comparison, when the selected blasted section fits into the available free space in the blasted, expanded state.

[0009] In other words, the device can provide useful information for planning the loading and blasting sequence of the various blasting sections of the first stop ring. Implementing this data can help prevent problems during the blasting process. Proper blasting requires sufficient volume of the blasted and expanded rock material.

[0010] Thereby, an advantage of the disclosed solution is that possible stope blocking problems can be effectively avoided, so that complicated and dangerous corrective drilling and blasting measures are not required and the stope blasting process can proceed smoothly and effectively.

[0011] In stope drilling, the drill holes function as blast holes and are long holes extending from an upper pre-prepared horizontal space, such as an upper drift, to a lower pre-prepared horizontal space, such as a lower drift. Thus, for example, in a wheel loader-type mining vehicle, the upper drift is the first passage for carrying out drilling and charging, and the lower drift is the second passage for emptying the free space. Most of the drill holes are arranged in a fan-like pattern, whereby only some of them open into the lower drift.

[0012] However, it is also possible to drill the drill holes from the lower drift towards the surface, i.e. drilling is done from the bottom up. The drill holes can be charged from the upper drift. In this alternative case, the blasted rock is also designed to fall into the lower drift, from which it is emptied of broken rock material.

[0013] A general advantage of the disclosed stope excavation is that it is an effective mining technique in which rock material is excavated in a sectioned blast and the gravity of the blast and the splash of the blast are utilized to move the rock material broken up by the blast towards a lower drift below the blasted stope.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the data processing unit of the device includes at least one computer program product, the execution of which is configured to perform the disclosed steps for assisting a designer in charging and blasting design work.

[0015] According to one embodiment, each stop ring comprises two or more parallel or substantially parallel drill hole fans provided with several drill holes.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the device is provided with data regarding the magnitude of expansion of the rock material of the stope. The device may also be provided with data regarding the rock type and quality of the ore body, and the device may take the rock data into account when estimating the expansion of the blasted rock material.

[0017] Alternatively, the device may be provided with the swelling ratio of the blasted rock, allowing the device to calculate the volume of the blasted rock material if the solid volume is known. Typically, blasted rock material contains 25-30% voids and therefore requires more space compared to solid unblasted rock.

[0018] The available free space gradually expands as blast sections are blasted and as the blasted rock material is emptied through the initial free space below the stope. This allows the initial free space to function both as a space for receiving the blasted rock material and as a transport path below the stope. The blasting process includes emptying the free space between blast sequences. Because an expanded available total free space is provided after each partial blast, each subsequent blast section can have a larger volume than the previous blast section.

[0019] The available free space is therefore the currently available free space that expands as successive partial blasts of the selected blast portion proceed further.

[0020] The vertical down-drill holes in the vertical stope form a fan-shaped pattern and are drilled using a down-drilling fan drilling method. The drill holes are drilled into the floor of the upper drift by a long-hole drilling rig. The drill hole openings are then positioned in the floor of the upper drift. The drill holes are then charged with blast material inserted into the drill holes from the upper drift by a charging rig.

[0021] Alternatively, vertical stope vertical up-drill holes are drilled into the roof of the lower drift by a long-hole drilling rig. The drill holes are filled with blast material from the lower drift. In this alternative, an upper drift is not necessarily required, as the operation utilizes the lower drift.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the device is configured to assist in designing a slot for a first stop ring. The device is further configured to assist in dividing the slot into at least two partial slots, one above the other. The first partial slot is positioned closest to the initial free space and is given a blasting order before a second partial slot vertically above the first partial slot. The device is configured to estimate a volume of blasted expanded rock material in the first partial slot and compare the estimated volume to the volume of the initial free space.

[0023] In other words, the device calculates the blasting volume of the first stop ring, i.e., the first blasting portion of the first partial slot, from which the entire stop blasting process starts.

[0024] The stope excavation length of the slot is long, so that the entire length of the slot cannot be blasted in one go, since the expanding rock volume does not fit into the free volume of the existing drift below the stope.

[0025] The device can help the designer to set the length of the partial slots so that the volume size is appropriate, and then the slot charging is carried out according to the designed partial slots, and of course the blasting sequence of the partial slots is also determined.

[0026] The advantage of this solution is that it helps the designer to divide the slot into two or more blast sections, i.e., partial slots, to ensure that the blasted rock material of the first blast fits into the initial free space. In this way, problems in blasting the slot can be avoided and a smooth start of the blasting of the first stop ring can be ensured. If stop slot blocking can be reduced, blasting efficiency and safety can be improved.

[0027] Blasting the slot is typically the most critical stage in the stope blasting process, and support for this critical stage is provided by the equipment.

[0028] After blasting the first partial slot, the initial free space is emptied, after which the second partial slot is blasted. Once the entire slot is blasted, other blast sections that widen the slot can be blasted.

[0029] The slot includes several vertical or substantially vertical free slot holes in the vertical center of the slot and several substantially vertical blast holes surrounding the free slot holes. The free slot holes are not filled with explosives. The free slot holes extend to the lower drift and can have a larger diameter than the surrounding blast holes. The purpose of the free slot holes is to provide some central space within the slot, thereby assisting in the blasting and crushing of rock material. In other words, the free slot holes create an initial free volume for the expansion of the rock mass during blasting.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the device provides, on a display device, at least two selectable views of the first stop ring at various viewing angles. The device is also configured to define and present a blasting portion of the first stop ring in response to commands input to the device.

[0031] In other words, the device provides a visual tool for the designer to define the blast section on the display. In this way, the design of the blast section of the first stop ring is intuitive. Furthermore, the device can provide the designer with an immediate response and notification if the planned blast section volume does not fit into the available free space. In that case, possible corrections can be made easily and quickly.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the device is configured to automatically generate a proposal for the blasting portion of the first stop ring, which then also automatically takes into account the volume of the blasted rock material relative to the available free space.

[0033] To perform the automatic functions, the device may be provided with a drilling plan, which includes data on the shape of the stope and data on the initial free space below the stope. Furthermore, the device may be provided with realized drilling data on the drill holes drilled for the stope.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the device is configured to present the drill hole in at least one of the views with respect to the following limiting elements: the contour of the horizontal lower drift, which serves as the initial free space, the contour of the horizontal upper drift, which serves as a passage for the charge and includes the opening of the drill hole, and the boundary line of the ore body in the first stop ring.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the apparatus is configured to provide a top view and a side view of the drill holes of the first stop ring on the display device. The top view includes a presentation of the drill hole's angular origin and projection. The side view includes a presentation of the drill holes in a fan pattern with respect to the horizontal drift contour and the ore body boundary.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the apparatus is provided with realized data relating to drilled drill holes for the first stop ring, the realized data including properties of the drilled rock material surrounding the drill holes of the first stop ring, whereby the apparatus is configured to take the rock data into account when estimating the amount of expansion of the rock material of each blasted portion of the first stop ring.

[0037] Data collected regarding the properties of the excavated rock material can also be used to provide suggestions regarding the amount of charge to be used in each drill hole in each blast section.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the device is configured to provide, based on the performed comparison, advice to the designer for setting the boundaries of the selected blast portion so that the volume of the selected blast portion in the blasted state matches the available free space.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the device is configured to generate proposals for dividing the blast portions. The device then calculates the appropriate size of each blast portion and provides a proposal for a boundary operator to limit the blast portions. In this embodiment, a higher level of automation is implemented. However, the designer has the final say on the generated charging plan.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the device is configured to provide a warning, notification, or visual indication on a display device for the designer when the amount of blast portion selected is too large and needs to be limited, which is a relatively simple way to assist the designer in creating an appropriate charging plan.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the device is configured to determine the insertion depth of the drill hole of the first stop ring based on the realized drill data of the drill hole and the set boundaries of the blasting portion.

[0042] In other words, the device can assist the designer by providing data on the charge depth for each blast hole, i.e., the insertion depth of the charge. The designer can then determine the amount of blasting material and implement the detonator. This facilitates charging operations and allows for more accurate blasting when the charge is correctly positioned.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the device can generate a charging plan for the first stoppling. The charging plan can be submitted to a charging device or special charging rig for mechanized charging. The charging plan can include data on charging depth, amount and type of blasting material, detonators used, and blasting sequence.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the charging plan generated by the device can include at least two separate charges at various charging depths for at least some of the drill holes that intersect at least two different blast sections. In other words, the downward drill fan includes a drill hole that intersects two or more blast sections and is then oriented so that the drill hole participates in partial blasting of the two or more blast sections. The device defines insertion depths, i.e., positions inside the drill hole, for the two or more charges in the drill hole. The specified insertion depths can be submitted to the charging rig to provide automatic charging.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the charging device is configured to adjust the amount of blasting material inserted depending on the length of the drill hole, thus the charging rig includes an adjustable blasting material feature.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the disclosed solution also relates to a method for assisting in the design of charging and blasting drill holes for several vertical stopp rings in stopp excavation of underground mines, the method comprising: using at least one data processing device in the design process, receiving data on realized drill holes drilled for the stope, receiving data on an initial free space located at least partially below the stope, assisting in dividing the initial first stopp ring into several blasted sections configured to be blasted in several partial blasts towards the available free space including at least the initial free space, estimating the volume of rock material of selected blasted sections in a solid, unblasted state and in a blasted expanded state, estimating the volume of the available free space in the first stopp ring, comparing the volume of the selected blasted sections in a blasted expanded state with the volume of the available free space, and indicating when the selected blasted sections fit into the available free space in a blasted expanded state based on the comparison.

[0047] The above disclosed embodiments can be combined to form a suitable solution with the required features.

[0048] Some embodiments are explained in more detail in the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0049] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a rock drilling rig performing long-hole drilling in a drift. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a drilled hole fan drilled from the upper drift towards the lower drift. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a drilled hole fan drilled from the lower drift towards the upper drift. [Figure 4a] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a perforated fan of several drilled holes. [Figure 4b] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the progression of the stope-drilling process in several successive stope-rings. [Figure 5a] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing the blasting of the initial first stop ring and the progression of the blasting process thereafter. [Figure 5b] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing the blasting of the initial first stop ring and the progression of the blasting process thereafter. [Figure 5c] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing the blasting of the initial first stop ring and the progression of the blasting process thereafter. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing charging from the upper drift and emptying the pile of blasted rock material through the lower drift. [Figure 7a] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the blasting of a slot for the initial first stop ring. [Figure 7b] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the blasting of a slot for the initial first stop ring. [Figure 7c] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the blasting of a slot for the initial first stop ring. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing some features of an apparatus for assisting a designer in designing charges and blasts. [Figure 9]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the swelling of rock material when blasted and a comparison with the free volume intended to receive the blasted rock material. [Figure 10a] 10A-10C are schematic diagrams of two display views presented to a designer for a first stop ring including a slot with a first blasting portion. [Figure 10b] 10A-10C are schematic diagrams of two display views presented to a designer for a first stop ring including a slot with a first blasting portion. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the division of the first stop ring into several blasting sections. [Figure 12a] 10 is a schematic diagram showing how the highlighted blasting portion of the first stop ring appears in side and top views of the display device. FIG. [Figure 12b] 10 is a schematic diagram showing how the highlighted blasting portion of the first stop ring appears in side and top views of the display device. FIG. [Figure 13a] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a display view of the blasting portion of a second stop ring following a first stop ring. FIG. [Figure 13b] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a display view of the blasting portion of a second stop ring following a first stop ring. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0050] For clarity, the figures show some embodiments of the disclosed solution in a simplified manner. In the drawings, like reference numerals indicate like elements.

[0051] FIG. 1 illustrates a rock drilling rig 1 for performing long-hole drilling to provide blast holes for stope-drilling purposes in underground mining. The rock drilling rig 1 operates within a prefabricated drift 2 and includes a movable carrier 3 and a drilling unit 4 mounted on the carrier 3. The drilling unit 4 includes a feed beam 5 and a rock drill 6 movably mounted on the feed beam 5. The drilling unit 4 is supported by a drilling boom 7 and can rotate about a horizontal axis of rotation to drill drill hole fans 8. For clarity, only three parallel drill hole fans 8 are shown in FIG. 1. Each drill hole fan has a different orientation and includes several drill holes forming an umbrella-type drill hole pattern. The rock drilling rig 1 includes a control unit CU for controlling the drilling. The control unit CU can communicate with one or more servers S or external electrical equipment. The control unit CU can provide data regarding the drill holes, including, for example, data regarding the position, orientation, and length of the drill holes. Furthermore, the rock drill 6 can generate sensory data during drilling, e.g. by means of sensors that sense impact energy, feed force, etc., so that data on the quality and hardness of the rock can be collected. Data on the realized drill hole and properties of the drilled rock can be submitted to an apparatus 9 configured to assist a designer 10 in designing the charging and blasting of vertical stope rings in the stope drilling process. The apparatus 9 includes a data processing device 24 for processing the received data, and has one or more display devices 12 for presenting visual data of the realized drill hole and mine properties, such as data on the ore body and drift 2, to the designer 10.

[0052] FIG. 2 shows a simplified drilling unit 4 drilling a drill hole fan 8 from the upper drift 2a toward the vertically positioned lower drift 2b. The drilling direction D is then vertically downward. In FIG. 3, drilling is performed from the lower drift 2b toward the upper drift 2a, resulting in a vertically upward drilling direction D. The drill hole fan 8 includes a slot 13 for forming an initial volume of rock material to be expanded by blasting. The slot 13 can include a drill hole with a larger diameter and is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 with a larger line thickness. FIGS. 2 and 3 further show that the slot 13 can be divided into several partial slots 13a and 13b. The first partial slot 13a is blasted before the second partial slot 13b located vertically above it. Blasting of the first stop ring 14a begins by blasting the first partial slot 13a toward the lower drift 2b. The lower drift 2b functions as an initial free space 15a that can accommodate the volume of expanded rock material 16 in the first partial slot 13a when blasted. The expanded rock material 16 is shown in simplified form by dashed lines in Figures 2 and 3. Blasting occurs vertically downward in the blasting direction B, and gravity G assists the movement of the blasted rock material toward the initial free space 15. After the blasted expanded rock material 16 is discharged from the lower drift 2b, the second partial slot 13b can be blasted. The blasting and emptying process continues with the partial blasted section. The volume of the partial blasted section is calculated or estimated in a solid, unblasted state and in a blasted, expanded state. The volume of the expanded rock material is compared to the volume of the free space 15 that can accommodate the expanded rock material. The apparatus disclosed herein is implemented to perform the calculations, estimations, and comparison measurements.

[0053] Figure 4a shows two horizontal drifts 2a and 2b arranged vertically one above the other and a drill fan 8 with several drill holes 17 drilled between them. Figure 4b shows in a simplified side view the progression of the stope drilling process in several successive stope rings 14a-14f. The drilling process progresses gradually from the first stope ring 14a in the drilling direction E.

[0054] Figures 5a-5c show a simplified diagram illustrating the division of the stop rings 14a-14f shown in Figure 4b into several partial blast sections that can be blasted according to a designed blasting sequence that defines the blasting order of the partial blast sections. In Figure 5a, the first partial blast section 18a is blasted in blasting direction B toward the lower drift 2b. In Figure 5b, the second partial blast section 18b, which has a larger volume, can be blasted in blasting direction B toward the lower drift 2b after the first partial blast section 18a is emptied of rock material. In Figure 5c, the third partial blast section 18c of the first stop ring 14a can be blasted in blasting direction B with the fourth partial blast section 18d of the second stop ring 14b. The volume of the partial blast sections 18 can increase one by one as they move further in the excavation direction E due to the simultaneous expansion of the free space volume. The device disclosed in this document can be used to assist in dividing the stopp ring into suitable partial blast portions and to determine which partial blast portions to blast in each blasting phase.

[0055] It is also possible to leave the topmost partial blast section of each stop ring 14, such as the third partial blast section 18c shown, to be blasted only in the final stage, thereby allowing some deck 19 (shown in dashed lines in Figure 5b) to operate within the upper drift 2a until the deck 19 is then blasted all at once.

[0056] 6 discloses that explosive material can be charged into the drill holes 17 of the drill hole fan 8 from the upper drift 2a by a charging device 20, such as a charging vehicle. The charging device 20 can perform the charging automatically under the control of a control unit to which data related to the charging is provided. The data related to the charging can be designed in the device 9 and communicated to the charging device 20. The charging data can include, for example, data related to the amount of explosive material, the installation depth of the explosive material in each drill hole 17, and the delay time of the detonator. The charging device 20 can accurately supply the explosive material and the detonator to the designed depth position in each drill hole 17.

[0057] After each blast a pile of blasted rock material 21 is generated. The discharge of the generated free space 15 can be carried out by a mining loader 22 operating in the lower drift 2b.

[0058] 7a-7c show the blasting of the slot 13 for the first stop ring 14a. The slot 13 can contain drill holes belonging to several parallel drill hole fans 8, creating sufficient space for subsequent blasts. In FIG. 7a, the first stop ring 14a is charged by the charging device 20, followed by blasting of the first partial slot 13a, forming a mound 21 down to the lower drift 2b. In FIG. 7b, the mound 21 is pulled away, creating a larger free space that includes the volume of the lower drift 2b and the solid volume of rock material in the first partial slot 13a. In FIG. 7c, the charge in the second partial slot 13b is fired, creating a new mound 21. After the mound 21 is pulled away again, there is sufficient free space for the blasted and expanded rock material, allowing blasting of the third partial slot 13c with one or more additional partial blast sections 18. The size of the partially blasted volume can be estimated by the apparatus disclosed herein.

[0059] FIG. 8 shows that the designer 10 can utilize the device 9 when designing the charge and blast design 23 in his office. The design work may be performed in a computer-aided manner. In other words, the designer 10 can provide parameters, selections, and control commands via a user interface (UI) to cooperate with the device 9, which includes a data processing device 24. At least one computer program product 25 can be input or retrieved into the device 9 and executed by the data processing device 25. The computer program product 25 can be recorded on a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing program instructions for implementing the various operations performed by the data processing device 24. The necessary data can be input into the data processing device 24 as individual data elements or retrieved from one or more memory devices. The data processing device 25 includes one or more processors or corresponding devices. This allows the data processing device to have sufficient processing power to perform the necessary calculations and estimates on rock volumes and make the necessary comparisons as dictated by the computer program product and input parameters. The device 9 also includes a data communication device 26 for communication between the device and one or more servers, control units, memory units, and other electrical devices. The device 9 can then receive data on the realized drill holes 27, data on the initial free space 28, data on the ore body 29, and possible other data related to the design work of the charging plan. The device 9 can assist the designer 10 by providing support notifications 30, such as suggestions on the amount of explosive material and the installation depth of the explosive material inside the realized drill holes. The device 9 can automatically or under the control of the designer 10 check whether the size of the blast section planned by the designer 10 when blasted fits into the currently available free volume, and if not, the device 9 can provide a warning or notification of the situation to the designer 10. The device 9 can also provide suggestions on how to change the charging plan and avoid undesirable situations during the blasting phase.For the actual planning work, it is very useful for the device 9 to be able to present selectable views 31 on one or more display devices of the charging plan along with the boundaries of the realized drill hole fan and ore body. Examples of such display views 31 are disclosed in Figures 10a-13b. The device 9 can transmit the results of the design work not only to the display device 11 but also to a memory device and, via the data communication device 26, to the charging device or other location where charging and blasting data is required. In this way, the designed charging and blasting design 23 can be displayed, stored, and transmitted to the desired location.

[0060] Figure 9 is a simplified diagram showing the swelling of rock material when blasted and its comparison with the free volume intended to receive the blasted rock material. The device can calculate or estimate the volume of the solid rock material according to the design of the partial blast section defined by the designer. The designer can define the size of the partial blast section visually, for example, on the display device. The designer can move the boundary line on the display device, and the device can estimate the updated volume. The device can also calculate or estimate the volume of the expanded blasted rock material according to the estimated volume of the solid state and data on the magnitude of expansion of each rock type being excavated. As the blasting process of the partial blast section progresses, the free space gradually expands, so the volume of available free space is also calculated or estimated.

[0061] FIG. 10a discloses a side view 31a of the charging plan in the longitudinal direction of the drifts 2a and 2b.

[0062] The side view includes a representation of the realized drill holes 17 in relation to the contours of the horizontal drifts 2a, 2b of the ore body and the boundary 32 in the fan pattern 8. The boundary 32 is shown as a dashed line. As can be seen, the realized drill holes 17 are oriented in the drill hole fan 8 according to the boundary 32 and their length. In Figure 10a, a first stop ring 14a is shown, which includes a slot 13 having a first partial slot 13a. The first partial slot 13a is the initial first partial blast portion to be blasted.

[0063] FIG. 10b shows a top view 31b, which can be simultaneously displayed on the designer's display. The top view 31b includes a representation of the origins of realized drill holes 17 belonging to several parallel drill hole fans, Fan 1 to Fan 4b, of the first stop ring 14a. As can be seen, the first partial slot 13a includes several drill holes 17 that are part of several adjacent fans, Fan 1 to Fan 3b. The blacked-out drill holes indicate that they are not blast holes, but drill holes with a larger diameter, configured to provide space for the first blast section.

[0064] The designer, working with the device, can determine, for example, the vertical dimensions of the first partial slot 13a. The device can notify the designer if an excessive amount has been included and provide suggestions to the designer. Once approved by the designer, the device can determine the amount of explosive material required to blast the first partial slot 13a. The device can also determine the insertion depth of the explosive material for each blast hole in the first partial slot. Furthermore, the device can determine the delay time for the explosive material inserted into the blast hole to control the ignition of the explosive.

[0065] FIG. 11 shows a side view 31a of a first stop ring 14a divided into several blasting sections 18, 13a, 13b, 18e, 18f, and 18g. A first section slot 13a and a second section slot 13b are located on the stop ring. The section slots 13a and 13b are sections 18 that are detonated before the other sections 18e, 18f, and 18g. The designer can set the boundaries of the sections 18e, 18f, and 18g in cooperation with a device that supports the design work. The boundaries can be moved on the display, and the device updates the estimated volume of the sections 18. This makes the design work intuitive.

[0066] Figure 12b discloses, by way of example, how the blast section 18e shown in Figure 11 and highlighted in Figure 12a can be shown in a top view 31b representation. For example, if the upper boundary 33 of the blast section 18e is moved vertically upward or downward, or its orientation is modified, the device assisting the designer can update the volume estimate, and also the charge and height position of the explosives in the drill hole 17.

[0067] Figures 13a and 13b show display views 31a, 31b of the blasting section 18h of the second stop ring 14b, which follows the first stop ring 14a shown in Figures 10a-12b. The designer can also modify the boundaries that limit the blasting section 18h in this case, and the device provides the designer with support data for making modifications and decisions. Once the design is approved by the designer, the device can calculate, for example, the amount of explosive material, insertion depth, ignition order, and delay.

[0068] The drawings and the associated description are intended only to illustrate the concept of the invention, in details which may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus (9) comprising at least one data processing device (24) for assisting in the design of charging and blasting of downward or upward drill holes (17) of several vertical stope rings (14) in stope excavation of underground mines, the apparatus comprising: Each stop ring (14) comprises at least two drilled hole fans (8) provided with several drilled holes (17), The device (9) is provided with data on the realized drill holes (27) drilled for the stope and data on the initial free space (28) located at least partially below the stope, the device (9) is configured to assist in dividing an initial first stop ring (14a) into several blast portions (13a, 13b, 18) configured to be blasted in several partial blasts towards an available free space (15) including at least the initial free space (15a); the device (9) is configured to estimate the volume of rock material of the selected blasted portion (13a, 13b, 18) in a solid, unblasted state and in a blasted, expanded state; the device (9) is configured to estimate the volume of the available free space (15) in the first stop ring (14a); the device (9) is configured to compare the volume of the selected blasted portion (13a, 13b, 18) in the blasted expanded state with the volume of the available free space (15), and based on the comparison, to indicate when the selected blasted portion (13a, 13b, 18) fits into the available free space (15) in the blasted expanded state. An apparatus characterized in that

2. the device (9) is further configured to assist in designing a slot (13) for the first stop ring (14a) and in dividing the slot (13) into at least two partial slots (13a, 13b) one above the other, the first partial slot (13a) being closest to the initial free space (15a) and being given a blasting order earlier than the second partial slot (13b) vertically above the first partial slot (13a); the device (9) is configured to estimate a volume of the blasted expanded rock material in the first partial slot (13a) and to compare the estimated volume with the volume of the initial free space (15a); 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that:

3. the device (9) is configured to provide, on a display device (12), at least two selectable views (31, 31a, 31b) of the first stop ring (14a) at different viewing angles; the device (9) is configured to define and present the blasting portion (13a, 13b, 18) of the first stop ring (14a) in response to commands input to the device (9); 3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that:

4. the device (9) is configured to present the drill hole (17) in at least one of the views (31, 31a, 31b) with respect to the following limiting elements: the contour of the horizontal lower drift (2b) serving as the initial free space (15a), the contour of the horizontal upper drift (2a) serving as a passage for the charge and including the opening of the drill hole (17), and the boundary line (32) of the ore body in the first stop ring (14a), 4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that

5. the device (9) is configured to provide on a display device (12) a top view (31b) and a side view (31a) of the drilled hole (17) of the first stop ring (14a); said top view (31b) including indication of the origin and projection of the angle of said drill holes (17); the side view (31 a) presenting the drill holes (17) in a fan pattern (8) and in relation to the contours of the horizontal drifts (2 a, 2 b) and the boundary (32) of the ore body; 4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that

6. the device (9) is provided with realized data relating to the drilled holes (27) for the first stop ring (14a), the realized data (27) includes properties of the drilled rock material surrounding the drill holes (17) of the first stop ring (14a), whereby the device (9) is configured to take the rock data into account when estimating the amount of expansion of the rock material of each blasted portion of the first stop ring (14a).

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that:

7. the device (9) is configured to provide advice to a designer (10) for setting boundaries of the selected blasted portion (13a, 13b, 18) based on the performed comparison, so that the volume of the selected blasted portion in the blasted state matches the available free space (15).

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that:

8. the device (9) is configured to determine the insertion depth of the drill hole (17) of the first stop ring (14a) based on the realized drill data (27) of the drill hole and the set boundaries of the blasting section; 3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that:

9. 1. A method for assisting in the design of charging and blasting drill holes (17) of several vertical stope rings (14) in stope excavation in underground mines, comprising: each stop ring comprises at least two drilled hole fans (8) provided with several drilled holes (17); using at least one data processing device (24) in said design process; receiving data on realized drill holes (27) drilled for the stope; receiving data relating to an initial free space (28) located at least partially below the stope; Assisting in dividing an initial first stop ring (14a) into several blast portions (13a, 13b, 18) configured to be blasted in several partial blasts towards an available free space (15) including at least said initial free space (15a); - estimating the volume of rock material of the selected blasted portion (13a, 13b, 18) in a solid, unblasted state and in a blasted, expanded state; estimating the volume of the available free space (15) in the first stop ring (14a); comparing the volume of the selected blasted expanded blast portion (13a, 13b, 18) with the volume of the available free space (15); and indicating, based on said comparison, when said selected blasted portion (13a, 13b, 18) fits into said available free space (15) in said blasted expanded state.

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