To achieve optimal blasting results for mining efficiency, mines need real-time data from their blasting blocks. BME\u2019s new generation XPLOLOG does just that \u2013 and is being put to work at a large opencast mine in South Africa\u2019s Northern Cape province.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe digital revolution is giving mines valuable steppingstones toward progressively smarter mining,\u201d said BME Product Manager (Software Development) Christiaan Liebenberg. \u201cAs blasting is an early-stage activity in the mining cycle, it can impact significantly on the efficiency of subsequent stages. Mines are looking to fast-evolving blasting technology to do this.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Liebenberg highlighted the importance of quick access to data on drill holes, explosives and other blast-related indices \u2013 to ensure quality blasting on a regular and consistent basis. If blast engineers and management can see the progress of blast preparation in real time, they can respond quicker to deviations that might compromise the control and fragmentation of each blast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Digital insight<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe new generation of XPLOLOG \u2013 part of our Blast Alliance suite of digital blasting tools \u2013 builds on our cloud-based data storage principle, giving users quick and detailed insight into all critical aspects of blast block preparation,\u201d he said. \u201cFrom hole depths and priming, to charging and stemming, this data can be logged on an Android tablet and sync to a cloud database.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In fact, this iteration of XPLOLOG has really been designed by customers, he said. The ground-up redesign was done in collaboration with a technology partner, who conducted one-on-one feedback sessions with existing users. This systematic approach has allowed customer priorities to be built into the design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe were able to fine-tune our improvements by understanding what users want when navigating the app or inputting data,\u201d he said. \u201cSpecialized design validation techniques using cameras were also applied to assess the user experience at different stages in our development process.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Data and scenarios<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the Android device provided by BME, users log a range of data from the blast block. Starting with the drilled depth of the hole, the app is populated with data on priming, charging and stemming. There are also various scenarios that the app accommodates, to trigger the relevant action. Where water is identified in a hole, for instance, a sleeve may need to be inserted. Unplanned holes may also need to be drilled where rock hardness or a collapsed hole prevents continued operations on the original planned hole. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs data is being input, XPLOLOG is doing the necessary calculations in the background,\u201d said Liebenberg. \u201cIf a hole has been overdrilled, for example, the app will calculate the new volume of explosive required to be pumped by the mobile manufacturing unit (MMU).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the device is within range of a Wi-Fi signal \u2013 or if it has a SIM card to link to a cellular signal \u2013 the data can be uploaded to the cloud instantly. This feeds into a redesigned and enhanced XPLOLOG dashboard which other users can access on their mobile devices or computers \u2013 giving up-to-date progress on work being conducted on the blast block. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reporting<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUsers can explore specific data on each hole \u2013 such as comparing the design depth and charge versus the actual depth and charge,\u201d he said. \u201cThe reporting function has also been upgraded considerably, giving users customized reports that save them time and are readily shared with others.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are default templates available, and users can also configure their own reports \u2013 saving their preferences for future use. This makes for higher productivity for blast engineers and management, and delivers professionally designed reports ready for presentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The dashboard\u2019s summary view gives users a high-level perspective of all key features of the block. This includes outlining all the holes that have been drilled \u2013 and their tolerances \u2013 as well as highlighting which holes have been charged and stemmed. Views can be easily customized by each user, and the system will remember each user\u2019s view preferences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another new feature is a cross-sectional view of each hole, giving insight into the progress on a specific hole \u2013 including the amount of charge and stemming length. The user management functionality has also been revisited, giving mines the ability to manage their own users. This is more efficient, as mine administrators can quickly add or change user details. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
To achieve optimal blasting results for mining efficiency, mines need real-time data from their blasting blocks. BME\u2019s new generation XPLOLOG does just that \u2013 and is being put to work at a large opencast mine in South Africa\u2019s Northern Cape province. \u201cThe digital revolution is giving mines valuable steppingstones toward progressively smarter mining,\u201d said BME Product Manager (Software Development) Christiaan…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[89],"tags":[393,1812,1813],"coauthors":[1644],"class_list":["post-4133","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-product-launch","tag-bme","tag-mining-efficiency","tag-xplolog"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t