Open Cut

Advanced blast modelling and geotechnical analysis tools

This project was part of a renewed effort to bridge the gap between blasting and geotechnical engineering in surface coal mining, and supports the implementation of best practices in drilling and blasting. After the successful completion of project C28041, which introduced a protocol to link ....  read more

Real-time prediction of coal top through guided borehole radar wave imaging for open cut blast-hole drilling

The aim of this project was to demonstrate the feasibility of integrating a BHR onto a drilling string for coal-top prediction during blast-hole drilling.  The project asked two questions:

• Can downhole radar data be communicated to the driller in the cab fast enough for

Enhancing the sleep-time of hydrogen peroxide-based explosives

This project has focussed on the development of stable mining emulsion-type explosives using H₂O₂. Through the pursuit of an emulsion-type explosive in H₂O₂-based explosives, certain key advances have been exploited to achieve the density stability ....  read more

Rotary Air Blast Drill Rig Top-of-Coal Detection While Drilling

Accurate control of overburden blasthole depth has the potential to significantly improve mine profitability through reduced coal loss and dilution. Ideally, blast holes would be drilled to a predetermined stand-off from the top-of-coal interface for every drilled hole. However, the current ....  read more

Alternative and Sustainable Explosive Formulations to Eliminate Nitrogen Oxide Emissions

This technical report describes the technology of a novel mining explosive that was developed under ACARP project C23029 with the potential to solve the issue of Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) fumes after blasting. Post blast fumes are toxic nitrogen oxides which are a direct product of the detonation ....  read more

Site Based Trials of Alternative Explosive Formulations to Eliminate Nitrogen Oxide Emissions

This report documents the outcomes of Phase 3 of this project and builds upon the developments of Phase 2 and project C23029. These series of projects have focussed on the development of novel mining explosives using hydrogen peroxide (HP) that have the potential to eliminate Nitrogen Oxide ....  read more

Real-time Prediction of Coal Top Through Guided Borehole Radar Wave Imaging for Open Cut Blast-hole Drilling

Damage to the tops of coal seams caused by incorrect blast stand-off distances is a serious issue for the Australian coal industry. It results in coal losses of up to 10-15%, translating to ~40 million tonnes of lost coal per year. To date, there have been no effective and economically-sound ....  read more

NOx Fume Evolution from Hydrogen Peroxide Based Hybrid Mixtures

The aim of this project was to develop new bulk explosive products that can completely eliminate NOx fume emissions. One of the key outcomes has been the development of explosives that use Hydrogen Peroxide (HP) as the main oxidiser together with a fuel phase that incorporates a sustainable ....  read more

MWD For Super-resolution Control Of R.A.B. Drilled Blast-hole Stand-off Distances

Open-cut coal mine blasting losses are serious. Incorrect blast stand-off cost the equivalent of one unnecessary mine for every 10 existing Australian open cut mines. The 3D models now used to prescribe drill-bit direction are constrained in accuracy by pierce point affordability until ....  read more

RAB Drill Rig Top Of Coal Detection While Drilling

Accurately detecting the approaching top of a coal seam prior to blasting is fundamental to efficient coal recovery. Previous investigations by member mining companies reported a 66% reduction in coal dilution through disciplined and detailed overburden drilling and blasting practises. Through ....  read more

Improved Blast Outcomes

The objective of the ACARP C23028 Improved Blast Outcomes project was to develop a methodology for drill and blast engineers to improve blast safety and performance by more accurately accounting for rock mass structure in their blast designs. This work involved integration of the blast energy ....  read more

Field Instrumentation To Measure The Performance Of Low Density (Low Shock) Explosives

Routine measurement of explosive's detonation pressure and temperature is not common practice in the mining industry. There is however a need to move beyond just measuring velocity of detonation. This is particularly important when new mixtures such as low density explosives are adopted in ....  read more

Blast Hole Slotting Demonstration Trial

Coal loss remains a key issue for the mining industry, with some Australian mines reporting up to 20% coal loss during mining.  This provides an exciting opportunity for the development of innovative techniques and processes to improve coal recovery.  Since 2004, CRCMining has been ....  read more

Effect of Blasting on Infrastructure

ACARP Project C14057 is an investigation into the effects of blasting on mine infrastructure.  The objectives of the project were to provide:

· A methodology for the assessment of infrastructure types and the establishment of realistic vibration limits for the prevention of ....  read more

Slotting While Drilling for Reduced Blast Damage to Coal Seam: Stage 2

This project was developed to address the coal loss and dilution issues that are faced in open cut coal mining.   An innovative Blast Hole Slotting System has been developed to reduce the significant amount of coal that is forfeited during the blasting and overburden removal ....  read more

Slotting While Drilling for Reduced Blast Damage to the Coal Seam

This project has developed an innovative technique and tool to reduce blast damage to the coal seam. Blast damage that leads to coal loss in open cut mines is generally seen in two forms:

• Damage to the top of the coal seam and loss of coal during mining

Controlling Block Movement of Coal During Overburden Blasting

Several open pit coal mines in Australia recognise that overburden blasting especially cast blasting, increases the likelihood of coal damage and loss resulting in significant negative economic impact on their operations. Earlier ACARP Projects C3017, C5005 and C8040 investigated this ....  read more

Down Hole Drill Dust Extraction System

The objective of this project was to utilise wet bed scrubber technology, as opposed to existing dry bag systems to prevent fugitive dust entering the atmosphere during the down hole drilling process in Open Cut operations, by removing it at the source and preventing it becoming ....  read more

Structure Response to Blast Vibration

The structure response of brick veneer test houses in the Muswellbrook and Singleton areas to blasting has been measured and the strength of their structural elements have been determined.

Analysis has shown that the stresses due to blast vibration that are within currently enforced ....  read more

Top of Coal Program: Phase 4 - Validation of Different Overburden Types

The Top of Coal project sought to develop a system, which would allow the standoff distance to be monitored in real-time during a blast hole drilling.

The main source of damage to the surface of the coal seam during overburden blast hole drilling is incorrect standoff distance. If the ....  read more

Understanding and Controlling Coal Damage During Cast Blasting (including Workbook)

The open cut coal mining industry in Australia recognised that cast blasting increases coal damage and loss associated with overburden blasting but very few mines have quantified its impact on  ....  read more

Optimisation of Pre-Split Blasts in Coal Mines

ACARP Project C5004 "Assessment and Optimisation of Pre-Split Blasting in Open Cut Mines" ran from March 1996 to May 1997. Its aims were:-

• to review and assess current pre-split practice in the Australian open cut coal industry;