Drilling is an essential step in every mining operation. It is through drill holes where excavators guide explosives before finally detonating them. This weakens the rocks surrounding the blast hole, making excavation work easier. However, blast hole drilling is an art that must be mastered well for best results. Miners must invest in contemporary equipment and software to optimize drilling.
Common Drilling Mistakes
A proper survey must be conducted before blast holes can be drilled. Surveying aims to establish the nature of the soil around the area of interest as well as the disposition of minerals. Decisions on the most appropriate explosive are then made from this survey. Most processes go wrong at the survey stage resulting in the wrong interpretation of the rock material. Using the wrong explosives often damages nearby infrastructure, dilutes the mineral with debris, or leads to poor blasts.
Corrective Measures
A lot of research is undergoing to improve the quality of blasts while minimizing operation costs. Miners must ensure blasting contractors have the capacity to employ emerging trends in the drilling process. The initial step involves designing the pit in a manner that guarantees maximum efficiency. Special consideration must be paid to the slope as too steep mines pose a risk to the excavation equipment. Secondly, how the blast will be ferried away must be considered.
The ultimate solution to this challenge is the use of simulation. Once the ore is mapped, dedicated software may be used to test the planned strengths of explosives and the positioning of the blast holes. Adjustments may be done at this stage to improve accuracy and reduce operational costs. once the best approach is determined, it is transferred to the drilling machine and the operator follows its course.
Safety Considerations
Not always is the mapping a true replica of the situation on the ground. This poses a risk to the drill operator, especially when working on sloppy areas. To avoid the risk of tipping, danger zones are marked on the field and the same captured in the drill guidance system. The operator is thus alerted when entering danger zones. Information about the progress of the actual drilling is also relayed to the guiding system in real-time for further analysis.
Final Thoughts
Blast hole drilling is a highly technical process that is best handled by experts. Proper equipment and software must be used in all drilling projects to get the best out of the process. All safety measures must also be adhered to to minimize risks.
No Comments