Stope Ring Blast Section Planning to Prevent Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing charging and blasting plans for stope excavation is a demanding and time-consuming task, and there are unwanted variations in blasting results due to defects in the charging and blasting plans, with stope blocking being a critical issue.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing a data processing device to assist in dividing the initial stope ring into several blast sections, estimating rock material volumes, comparing them to available free space, and providing guidance for the blasting order to ensure the blasted rock material fits into the available free space, thereby avoiding stope blocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual charging and blasting plan design is used for stope excavation, then flexibility in handling complex geological conditions is maintained, but the design process becomes demanding and time-consuming with unwanted variations in blasting results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical planning with an automated computer-based system that calculates optimal charging and blasting parameters. The system uses software to automatically determine drill hole patterns, charge amounts, and blasting sequences based on stope geometry and rock properties, eliminating manual design variations and improving both efficiency and consistency of blasting results.
2Productivity
If large volume blast sections are used to reduce number of blasts, then productivity increases, but stope blocking occurs when blasted rock material exceeds available free space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent automatically divides the stope ring into multiple blast sections with carefully calculated volumes. The system segments the total rock mass to be blasted into smaller, manageable sections that can be blasted in sequence, ensuring that each section's expanded rock volume fits within the available free space while minimizing the total number of blasts required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calculation of the available free space below the stope ring before designing the blasting plan. It pre-determines the optimal volume for each blast section based on this available space, ensuring that blasted rock material will fit without causing blocking. This preliminary planning prevents stope blocking before the actual blasting operation begins.
3Ease of operation
If traditional charging plan design is used, then simplicity in implementation is maintained, but defects in the plan cause unwanted variations in blasting results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an automated computer-based design system that precisely calculates charging parameters for each drill hole based on detailed stope geometry, rock mechanical properties, and desired blasting outcomes. The system generates precise charge amounts, depth, and placement recommendations, eliminating the imprecision of manual plan design while maintaining ease of implementation through automated generation of detailed charging instructions.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for assisting design of charging and blasting of stopes in an underground stope excavation is provided. The apparatus includes a data processing device and is provided with data on realized drill holes drilled for the stope. The apparatus is also provided with data on an initial free space located below the stope. The apparatus assists in dividing an initial first stope ring into several blast sections, which are blasted in several partial blasts towards an available free space. The apparatus estimates volumes of rock materials, compares the estimated volumes to available free volumes and then examines whether the selected blast section fits in blasted expanded state into the available free space.