Drill and Blast

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com
Drill&BlastTutorial ForMinexv5.3 April2008
www.gemcomsoftware.com
Copyright 2008 Gemcom Software Australia Pty Ltd. All rights reserved. This software and documentation is proprietary to Gemcom Software Australia Pty Ltd. Gemcom Software Australia Pty Ltd publishes this documentation for the sole use of Minex licenses. Without written permission you may not sell, reproduce, store in a retrieval system, or transmit any part of the documentation. For such permission, or to obtain extra copies please contact your local Gemcom Software Office. Gemcom Software Australia Pty Ltd. Level 8 190 St Georges Terrace Perth, Western Australia 6000 Telephone: (08) 94201383 Fax: (08) 94201350 While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this manual, we assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damage resulting from the use of the information contained herein. All brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. About This Manual This manual has been designed to provide a practical guide to the many uses of the software. The applications contained within this manual are by no means exhaustive as the possible uses of the software are only limited by the users imagination. However, it will give new users a starting point and existing users a good overview by demonstrating how to use many of the functions in Minex. If you have any difficulties or questions while working through this manual feel free to contact your local Gemcom Software. Contributors Peter Esdale James Willoughby John Hylton-Davies Mark Godresse This tutorial was modified from the Minex online help plus Minex 5.2 tutorial and changed, or added to where necessary to bring it up to date with Minex 5.3. The contributions of the authors are also gratefully acknowledged.
Gemcom Software Australia Perth, Western Australia Acknowledgements This tutorial was modified from the Minex online help and version 5.2 tutorial, but changed, or added to where necessary to bring it up to date with Minex version 5.3. The contributions of the help authors are also gratefully acknowledged. Product Minex 5.3
Table of Contents
About This Document ................................................................................................................ 4 Overview ................................................................................................................................................... 4 Requirements ........................................................................................................................................... 4 Document Conventions ............................................................................................................................ 4 Introduction................................................................................................................................. 8 Set up Blast Tutorial Project ..................................................................................................................... 8 Displaying Data Set ................................................................................................................................ 12 Defining a Blast Layout ............................................................................................................ 18 Reference Line .......................................................................................................................... 24 Setout Line ................................................................................................................................ 26 Blast Pattern/Hole Editing ....................................................................................................... 32 Pre-split Holes .......................................................................................................................... 47 Other Functions ........................................................................................................................ 52 Designing a Sump .................................................................................................................................. 52 Front Row Burden .................................................................................................................................. 55 Reports ................................................................................................................................................... 58 Fanning of Drill Holes ............................................................................................................................. 60 Summary ................................................................................................................................... 64
Drill and Blast Tutorial
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About This Document

Overview
This document describes the operation of the Gemcom Minex Open Pit Blast menu. The Blast menu is a simple effective tool, enabling the user to layout, edit and report on a blast pattern, while interacting with open pit layouts and having full access to other graphics functions. Additional training information is available within the software and from your local Gemcom Software Support Office. When the software has been installed you can see additional training resources and help documentation in the Help menu. Visit http://www.gemcomsoftware.com to find your nearest support office or contact Minex support as follows: Call the Gemcom Support line in Australia 1800-GEMCOM Send a message to minexhelp@surpac.com
Requirements
Before proceeding with this tutorial, you should ensure you have the following items: 1. Minex 5.3, and the tutorial data provided on the installation disc, installed on your computer. This is usually installed from a CD. 2. A Minex license token and sentinel/dongle correctly installed Place the sentinel or dongle in an appropriate USB port.
Document Conventions
Typographical Conventions
Some text in this manual has been specifically formatted to assist and help the user identify it as a particular element of information. The following list describes the different formats and their meanings:
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About This Document
Text Format
<Bold Italic>
Meaning
Text or data that varies with each input is shown in italic font and enclosed in angle brackets. Some examples are installation directories, dates, names and passwords. When you substitute the text for the variable, do not include the brackets. For example: <password> requires you to substitute a password in place of <password>. A words or phrase to which the author wants to give emphasis. For example, the new text is in memory; the old text is deleted. This typeface indicates one of the following:
Italics Bold

UPPER CASE
A file name, path or URL. Strongly emphasized text. For example, It is very important to save the data. Text that a procedure has instructed you to type. A menu option, tab, button, check box, list, option button, text box or icon. For example, click Apply.
Keystrokes. When a keystroke is described, the key is shown in this font. For more information on keystroke conventions, see below.
Keyboard Conventions
Key Combination
<key>+<key>
Meaning
Press and hold down the first key, then press the second key. For example: CTRL+O means hold the CTRL key down, then press O.
Menu Conventions
When you click, or move the pointer over, some menu commands, a subordinate menu appears. To indicate that you should select a command on a subordinate menu, this documentation uses a greater than (>) sign to separate the main menu command from the subordinate menu command. For example, File > Project > Project Manager means choose the File menu, move the mouse pointer over the Project command, and then select Project Manager on the secondary menu.
Mouse Conventions
The mouse is the pointing device you use to select objects and choose menu items, and to click the buttons that you see on your display monitor. If a particular mouse button is not specified, use the left button. When a different button should be used, this is specified in the text. You can rotate or press the wheel button on the mouse. In this manual, the following terms are used to describe actions with the mouse.
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About This Document
Action
Click Right-click Double-click Drag and drop <an object> Drag Right-drag Rotate
Description
Quickly press and release the left mouse button without moving the mouse. Press and release the right mouse button without moving the mouse. Without moving the mouse, click the left button twice rapidly. With the pointer over the object, press and hold down the left mouse button to select the object. Move the mouse until the pointer is in the position you want and then release the mouse button. Press and hold down the left mouse button. Then move the mouse in the direction that the text specifies. Press and hold down the right mouse button. Then move the mouse in the direction that the text specifies. Use your finger to make the wheel button roll. Move it forward, that is in a clockwise direction, or backward, that is in an anticlockwise direction.
Windows and Dialog Boxes

Windows and dialog boxes contain several elements that enable users to carry out particular operations. Here is an example of a dialog box.
Elements of Windows and Dialog Boxes

Windows and dialog boxes can contain the following elements.
Element Name
Check box
Description
Square box that you select or clear to turn an option on or off. You can select more than one check box. Rectangular or square button that initiates an action. Buttons have text labels to indicate their purpose. Arrow associated with a drop-down list. You can view a list by clicking the arrow. Closed version of a list box with an arrow next to it. Clicking the arrow opens the list. Frame or box that encloses a set of related options. The group box is a visual device only, although you can select the elements within the group box.
Example
Button
Drop-down arrow Drop-down list Group box
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About This Document
Icon
A graphical button that you can click to initiate an action. Text attached to any option, box, button, or to any other element of a window or dialog box. Any type of box containing a list of items, in table format, that you can input, edit or select.
Label
Table
Menu
A set of options or actions that you can perform.
Option button Spin box
Round button you can use to select one of a group of mutually exclusive options. Text box with up and down arrows that you click to move through a set of fixed values. You can also type a valid value in the box. Labelled group of options used for many similar kinds of settings. Rectangular box in which you can type text. If the box already contains text, you can select that text and edit it. Title of the dialog box. It usually, but not always, matches the title of the command button that launched it. A graphical representation of a hierarchical structure. A plus sign next to an item on the tree indicates that you can expand the item to show subordinate items; a minus sign indicates that you can collapse the item.
Tab
Text box
Title
Tree
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Introduction
This manual presupposes a certain familiarity with MINEX software, grids and strings. This familiarity can be achieved by working through the manual Minex 5 Core Tutorial. This section introduces the basic fundamentals of starting and exploring Open Pit Blast Layout with reference to a training data set.
Set up Blast Tutorial Project

The first time you start Minex, you may have to answer several prompts to successfully start the program. Information on how to start for the first time can be found in the Minex 5 Core Tutorial. After you have started Minex for the first time and then made sure that you have licensed it correctly, you can start Minex by just double-clicking the icon and clicking Accept.
Task: Start Minex

1. Double-click the Minex icon on the desktop. Minex will start.
Task: Set up Blast Project Directory

The data set for this tutorial is stored in <Minex install folder>\tutorials\Ashes. For example, if you install Minex to C:\Minex52, the data set for this tutorial is in C:\Minex52\tutorials\Ashes. 1. Choose File > Project > Project Manager.
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Introduction
2.
Click New.
3.
Type the name of the project, for example Blast_tutorial then click OK. You have now created the project but you have not yet set it to use the data files in a specific directory.
4.
On the left side of the Minex window, click the Filesystems tab.
5.
In the Filesystems tree, navigate to the Ashes folder by clicking the beside the folder for Minex and the tutorials folder.
symbol beside C: drive and
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Introduction
6.
Tip:
Right-click the Ashes folder and choose Set Project Directory.

If, at any time, the Minex Explorer indicates that the link to the project folder is broken, view the broken link property and open Windows Explorer to check whether the folder exists. The folder might have been renamed or moved.
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Introduction
Task: Set the Local Origin

Before you set the local origin, you should choose some coordinates that are close to your data. For this data set we are going to use the coordinates X: 257,060 and Y: 6,178,740. Refer to the Minex 5 Core Tutorial for steps on finding nearby coordinates. 1. Choose Tools > Options.
2.
Expand the tree so that it shows the Local Origin row.
3.
Select the Local Origin row, click and enter coordinates X: 257,060 and Y: 6,178,740.
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Introduction
Displaying Data Set
4.
Click OK.
5. 6.
Click Close on the Options Dialog Click OK in the Information message box below (if it appears).
7. If requested, Exit Minex and restart it.
Displaying Data Set

Before we design a blast layout we need to display current topographical and structural information around the area of concern.
Task: Plot Geometry Data

Usually when you plot geometry data you only want to view some of the geometry data in the geometry file. Using the Plot Geometry Data (PGD) dialog box, you can specify which data to show. 1. Make sure the 3D Design tab is active. 2. Open THEDON.GM3 and Blast_Design.mpf 3. Click Plot Geometry Data icon.
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Displaying Data Set
4. Right-click on Plot Geometry Data tab, choose Get Parameter > B1Area.
5. Click F to do a final plot of the Geometry Data.
Note:
This data was displayed first so as to zoom in on the area we will be designing a blast for.
6. Click Plot Geometry Data. 7. Right-click on Plot Geometry Data tab, select Get Parameter and Area2. 8. Click F to do a final plot and then close the Plot Geometry Data dialog box.
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Introduction
Displaying Data Set
The selected Geometry Data will now be displayed, with the green mask polygon indicating the area bounding our intended Blast Design.
Task: Plot Seam and Topographical surfaces

For this particular design we are going to project holes down to the MGB2 seam roof. In any area where this seam does not exist, we will stop the holes at the 685 elevation. 1. In the Minex Explorer, highlight the Runtime TAB and navigate to the MODEL.GRD DD Name, then select grid file MGB2SR.grid
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Introduction
Displaying Data Set
2. Right-click and select Display and Open to Display the grid.
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Displaying Data Set
3.
Choose the dialog Triangle Display and fill out the fields as shown below to display the topographic surface AIRPHOTO3PT.tr5 in Green.
Note: Familiarize yourself with the data by using the Navigate icon
and mouse to rotate/move the data.
4. Remove the topographical surface, AIRPHOTO3PT.tr5, and the seam roof, MGB2SR.grid, from the display by going to the Object Control Panel in the Runtime TAB, right-clicking on the object names and selecting Remove.
Note: Remove is now renamed to Remove from Display from 5.3
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Displaying Data Set
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Defining a Blast Layout

There are a number of steps to create a new blast layout, with the first step being to name/recall the blast area, and define the pattern and hole parameters to be used.
Task: Setup Blast Pattern

1. Choose Blast > Setup Blast Pattern.
2. The Pattern Parameters tab in the Blast Pattern Setup dialog box allows you to select blast patterns and specify pattern and hole parameters. Fill in the dialog as shown above, with each field explained below. The Area and Zone fields allow you to enter a new area and zone name, or select an existing area and zone to use.
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Displaying Data Set
In our case select the area TRAIN and type in a zone of B1

Note: The Area and Zone names for the Blast Layout data type are equivalent to the Group and Map names for the Structure data type in the geometry file.
You can choose a Staggered or Square pattern from the Type drop-down list. For our Tutorial we will use a staggered pattern so choose that from the list. Below is an example of each type of pattern: Square Staggered
Enter a value of 4 in the Offset field. This distance is typically half the value of the spacing you specified. Enter a value of 8 in the Burden field to specify the distance between rows. Enter a value of 8 in the Spacing field to specify the distance between blast holes. A positive value in the Stand-Off field represents a stand-off, while a negative value represents a sub-drill. For our Tutorial, enter a Stand-Off value of 0.3,
Hole Parameters Tick the Vertical Holes checkbox to indicate that the blast holes will be Vertical, and have no Dip Angle. Tick the Normal checkbox if you want to project the blast holes at an angle 90 degrees to the Left or Right of the setout line (Not used in this Tutorial). The Dip Angle (usually associated with the normal option) you specify is measured from the horizontal (Not used in this Tutorial). If you don't tick the Normal checkbox, you can specify an Azimuth for the blast hole projection (Not used in this Tutorial)
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Displaying Data Set
2. 3. 4.
Click the Hole Colour button to change the colour used to represent the blast hole. Change it to Red as indicated on the Dialog image above. Enter a value of 0.3 in the Diameter field to specify the diameter of the blast holes. Enter Soft in the Type field. This field is used to tag the blast holes as being from a user-defined type, and can be edited after holes are created. It can be used later on to report, and export, holes generated of a desired Type.
A blast pattern layout must be setup such that the bounding upper and lower surfaces, depths or elevations are defined, for both the blast hole collars and toes. These can be set through the Surfaces tab. Several options are available to define their surfaces: A constant elevation. A triangulated surface. A gridded surface. A depth below the collar (available for the toe only).
For this exercise choose the triangle file, AIRPHOTO3PT.TR5, for the Collar Surface and the grid, MGB2SR, for the Primary Toe Surface as shown in the image below. Also define a Secondary Toe Surface, grid RL685 on the Secondary Toe Surface Tab. A Secondary Toe surface is used as the Toe Surface in all the areas which the Primary Toe Surface does not exist, or is not intersected during hole projection.
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Displaying Data Set
Design Surface: when blast holes are first layed out, they exist only on one surface - the collar or toe surface, as selected through the blast layout menu Design Surface area.It is then necessary to project the blast holes onto the other surface. Select the Collar option for this exercise, as we will be designing holes on the Collar surface and then projecting down to the Toe Surface to create the blast hole toe position. It is also possible to create a toe surface from production drill metres rather than using the geological model. This creates a more accurate surface due to the increased number of holes used for seam interpretation. The Plotting Parameters tab allows you to control the appearance of your blast pattern. Fill in the dialog as shown in the image below.
5. 6.
Tick the Collar checkbox to set the option to display a symbol representing the blast hole collar. Enter 0.2 as the Size of the symbol from the associated drop-down list Tick the Toe checkbox to set the option to display a symbol to represent the blast hole toe, again entering 0.2 as the Toe Symbol size
Note: the symbols used during display can be changed on the Pattern Setup Tab. 2DSYMB40 is the most commonly used symbol to represent blast holes. If you want the blast hole to be represented by a circle, choose 2DSYMB07.
You could tick the Blastholes Only checkbox if you do not want to plot setout lines, boundary polygons or zone polygons. Leave it un-selected for this exercise.
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Displaying Data Set
Tick the Trace checkbox to plot a representation of the blast hole from collar to toe (if blast holes are vertical, this will only be noticed if you dip the display).
Annotation This area of the Plotting Parameters Tab allows you to control many options on how the blast pattern, and its various elements, will be annotated. Tick the Hole checkbox if you want to display the blast hole number. With this option you can also choose the Size and Colour of the text, along with an Annotate every nth value if you only want to annotate a few blast holes, like every 3rd hole. Leave this checkbox unselected for this exercise. Tick the Depth checkbox set the option to display the drill depth of the holes. You can also choose the Size, Colour, Decimals of the Depth text. Tick the Annotate at Centre checkbox if you want to display depth in the center of the blast hole symbol. Leave it unselected for this exercise. Tick the Annotation Angle checkbox and enter an Annotation Angle so set the option to draw the Annotation at an angle. This defaults to 0.0, which is Horizontal. Tick the Setout (Line) checkbox if you want to set the option to display the row name for each Setout Row. You can also choose to annotate every n(th) Line and change the text Size and Colour.
Blast Influence You could tick the Display Blast Influence checkbox to display a radius of influence around the blast hole. This is a typical representation of the zone of fracture around the blast hole. If this option is selected, you can also specify the distance from the center of the blast hole in the Radius field, and you can choose a Circle or Cylinder to represent the zone of fracture.
Note: Cylinder is useful for examining front row burdens.
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Displaying Data Set
7.
Once the Blast Pattern Setup dialog has all the fields filled in as per the above, click Ok to initialize the blast pattern. You will now see a blast pattern node on the Blast Explorer tab.
The next steps are to create a Reference Line, a Setout Line and to then Generate Holes.
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Reference Line
The reference line serves two main purposes; It functions as a starting point for hole numbering. It is the hinge point for the copying and rotating of blast patterns.
It is usual to digitize the reference line in the direction of the face, perpendicular to the orientation of the blast lines. Note that the reference line MUST intersect blast lines and should be normal to the direction of the strip. In its simplest form, a reference line is a straight 2 point line, however it could have several inflections or even a curved line.
Task: Digitise Reference Line

1. Choose Blast > Reference Line.
2. Digitise a line in approximately the same location as shown by the black line in the image below. 3. Right-click and select Accept when you have finished digitising.
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Reference Line
Displaying Data Set
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Setout Line
Setout Lines are used for the creation of blast hole rows. They can be created either normal to or at an angle to the reference line and must cross the reference line In the case of a staggered pattern, if you want to maintain an equidistant offset, setout lines must be generated normal to the reference line. Row naming can be made up of alpha, numeric or a combination of both characters, and can be in upper or lower case. Three options are available when creating either a single or multiple Setout Lines. a. Digitize. This enables the user to digitize and name each Setout line individually. b. Normal to Reference Line. This allows the user to first digitize any 2 point line. This option keeps the 1st digitized point and then automatically projects a line from the point at an angle normal to the reference line and the same length and direction as the original 2 point line. Essentially, it will correct the digitized line so that it is Normal (at 90 degrees) to the Reference Line c. Offset R/Offset L. Creates the next setout line Left or Right relative to the direction the line selected to offset from has been digitized.
Task: Digitise Setout Line

1. 2. 3. From the Blast menu, click Setout Line. Tick the Normal to Reference Line option and select Setout Line Name of 1. Selecting normal to reference line will ensure that the first row created Perpendicular to the reference line. Click Ok.
4. 5.
Minex will now prompt you to Digitise a Setout Line. Do this from left to right, approximately parallel to the bench face as shown by the dotted black line in the image below. Right-click and select Accept when you have finished digitizing.
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Setout Line
Displaying Data Set
6.
Answer Yes to the Offset from this line? question as shown below. Selecting Yes will allow you to now offset and create new rows from this newly created Setout Line.
7.
On the Setout Line dialog which will now appear, select the Generate to last RefLine Intersection and the Right option. The direction of the offset will be with respect to the direction the first row was digitized, and Minex will generate Setout Lines all the way to the end of the Reference Line It is also possible to alter the Start and End Burden here to create fanned Setout Lines see the section later in this tutorial entitled Fanning of Drill Holes on Page XXX.
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Setout Line
Displaying Data Set
8.
Ok the dialog and your Setout Lines will be generated, while the updated graphics display should be similar to the screen capture shown below.
9.
Go into the Blast Explorer tab of the Blast Pattern Setup dialog. You will notice that the newly created setout rows have all been updated in the explorer. Right-click on Blast Pattern: TRAIN/B1. A list of Contextual Menu options will appear. Select Generate Holes and answer No to the question Include Hole Offset on First Row on the subsequent Question Box.
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Setout Line
Displaying Data Set
The graphics display should now be similar to the screen capture shown below. Note that the holes have all been created on the Collar Surface, and the Toe Position of each hole has not yet been computed we will now do that.
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Setout Line
Displaying Data Set
10.
Right-click on Blast pattern: TRAIN/B1. Select Reproject and Ok the next dialog selecting Vertical Holes and a Stand-Off of 0.3.
11.
If you zoom in on some of the blast holes you will see the hole depth is now shown. If you have not already done so, save your geometry file now using File > Save Geometry File.
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Setout Line
Displaying Data Set
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Blast Pattern/Hole Editing

As there are holes that have extended outside your desired blast zone polygon, it is now necessary to delete the holes that arent required. We do this by defining a Boundary Polygon and then Clipping the holes to only leave those whose Collar is inside the Boundary Polygon
Task: Boundary Polygon

1. Choose Blast > Boundary Polygon as shown below. This will put Minex into Digitize Mode and you will be prompted to Digitize a Boundary Polygon.
2.
We already have a polygon in our Geometry File representing the area we wish to blast within, so we will use it as our Boundary Polygon. Right-click in the graphics window and choose the Whole Line option
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Displaying Data Set
3.
Click one edge of the green polygon, as shown below. All points on the polygon will now have a temporary marker displayed, if you are happy with this selection right click and Accept the selection. A Blast Boundary Polygon has now been created.
4. 5.
Go into Blast Explorer tab of the Blast Pattern Setup dialog. Right-click on Boundary Polygon and choose Clip Holes.
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6.
All holes outside of the selected polygon are deleted.
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Task: Adding Deleting/Moving individual holes

Even after clipping holes outside the mask area you will see that there are some holes too close to the pit walls and bench face. As these holes need adjusting on a hole by hole basis and according to individual site practice, it is best to manually edit these holes. 1. to zoom in on any holes that are too close, or Use the navigation tool bar, over the edge of the bench crest. Three such holes have been circled in the screen capture below. Note you may have a different configuration of holes depending on where you chose to put your reference and set out lines.
2.
These three holes that lie on or just over the bench crest will be deleted. Ensuring that the selection mode is depressed, hold down the Ctrl key, and click on each of the three holes to select them. Now press the Delete key to delete them.
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If you inspect the remaining front holes, you will notice that there are still some that are very close to the bench crest, but rather than deleting them, it would be better to move them to a more practical drilling position. This can be achieved by selecting a hole, and then right-clicking and picking the Move => Drag option. Inspect your design and drag any holes that need to be moved as described above, . We will Re-project the holes after ensuring that you have the XY + Z mode selected making all the edits to adjust the hole collar and toe positions to match the blast surfaces.
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Displaying Data Set
3.
Repeat the process for any holes that are too close to the pit wall. Below is another screen capture after the holes have been adjusted as described above.
4.
A single hole can be added by choosing the Blast Explorer tab, then right-clicking on a Row and selecting the Add Hole option. You will then be prompted to digitize the position of the new hole.
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Displaying Data Set
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Displaying Data Set
The screen capture below shows the addition of a new hole near the bench crest. A hole depth of 0.00 is indicated, as we have not yet Re-projected the new hole to create the correct Toe Position.
Now that the Collar position of some holes has been changed and extra holes have been added, we need to re-project the holes to ensure they all have the correct Toe Position. 5. Choose the Blast Explorer tab, then right-clicking on Blast Pattern and selecting the Reproject option. In our case, we have in fact only modified and added holes onto Row 1 we could just have selected Row 1 from the Blast Explorer, right-clicked and selected Reproject, which would project just the holes on that single Row, not the whole pattern.
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Task: Angling Holes

Due to the angle of the bench face, it would be advantageous to angle the front row of holes. 1. Choose Blast > Setup Blast Pattern, then click on the Blast Explorer tab, then right-click on Row 1 and choose the Reproject option.
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2. 3.
When the Re-project Holes dialog displays, deselect the Vertical Holes option, and tick Normal, so the holes will be projected normal to your Setout line, and choose a Dip Angle of -75 degrees. Click Ok.
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You should now have a blast pattern that looks similar to the screen capture below. Note the angled holes across Row 1 at the top of the screen can be seen from the Hole Trace that is drawn from the Collar to the Toe.
4.
You can also graphically angle holes by dragging the Toe position. While in Select mode on a hole toe, right-click and select Go Point Mode.
, click
5.
Right-click the Move > Drag option, ensuring that you have the XY + Z digitize mode selected and drag the toe to a new position. The hole will need to be Reprojected after moving the toe, to adjust the elevation position to match the toe blast surface.
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6. 7.
Choose Plotting Parameters > Blast Pattern Setup dialog and tick the Hole option. Click Ok.
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8.
Hole numbers will now be displayed next to the collar of each hole. In the screen shot below, the hole 8 from row 1 has been edited.
9.
Choose Blast > Setup Blast Pattern > Blast Explorer tab, expand the Row 1 node, then rightclick on Hole 8/1 and select the Reproject option. On the Re-project Holes dialog deselect the Vertical Holes option and input the Azimuth as shown on the Blast Explorer for hole 8/1, in this example 51.255. Ok the dialog to re-project the hole.
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10.
A group of holes can also be angled by using Shift + click or Ctrl + click to select a number of holes in the Blast Explorer, then right-click and Reproject those multiple selected holes.
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Below is a screen capture, where some of the holes in the second row have also been angled.
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Pre-split Holes
Pre-split holes are used for a variety of reasons, such as creating a fracture surface to protect and reflect blast energy away from the final pit walls. They are normally drilled along, or offset from a pit design string. For the purpose of this tutorial we will use the structure string defined with the Map name of presplt
Task: Generate Pre-split Holes

1. 2. Click Plot Geometry Data Right-click on Plot Geometry Data tab, choose Get Parameter > presplit. Then press F on the dialog, you will get a display similar to the image below. You may need to zoom to the area.
3.
The String displayed represents a pit wall position at the design elevation of 690, but we need to know the pit wall position at our current mining surface. Assuming a pit wall angle of 70 degrees, we can do this by Selecting this string, right-clicking and choose Move > Project and Offset from the String sub-menu. Fill in the String Project dialog as shown below. Click Ok.
4.
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Pre-split Holes
Displaying Data Set
Note: Ensure you are in String mode not Point Mode from the String Contextual Menu presented as shown below.
5. 6.
Select this string, right-click and select Alter and Interpolate from the sub-menu. Select a spacing of 4. Click Ok.
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Pre-split Holes
Displaying Data Set
The result will be the string as shown below.
7.
Choose Blast > Generate Row From Points as shown in the image below.
You will be prompted to give the new row a name - naming it PS or something similar will ensure its easily identified as the PreSplit Row. Minex will now go into Digitize Mode so that you can digitize the points that will make up each Hole on the Row. Right-click in the Graphics Window, and select Whole Line from the Contextual Menu presented, and pick on the required string (ensuring that you are in Snap to point or Snap to line digitize mode). Right-click again in the Graphics Window and choose Accept. Holes will then be generated at each of the points on the string selected.
8.
Choose Blast > Setup Blast Pattern, click on the Blast Explorer tab, then right-click on Row PS and select the Reproject option. On the Re-project Holes dialog presented, deselect the Vertical
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Pre-split Holes
Displaying Data Set
Holes tickbox, tick Normal, Left and a Dip Angle of 70 degrees. Ok the dialog to re-project all the holes on Row Ps.
If you now display all the blast data, by filling in the Plot Geometry Data dialog as shown below, you will see some of the production holes fall behind the pre-split holes, or are overlapping the pre-split area.
There are a number of ways we could correct this problem, but for the purpose of this exercise, delete any holes that fall behind the pre-split line and drag any holes that intersect the pre-split surface back into the blast area. The holes that have been dragged back into the blast will need to be re-projected, and have their explosive charge adjusted at charge up time, due to the reduction in burden/spacing of the holes.
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Pre-split Holes
Displaying Data Set
After editing the holes you should end up with a blast hole design that looks similar to the image below
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Other Functions
Designing a Sump
A sump can be designed by projecting an area of holes further down than the surrounding holes, so that a sump can be excavated past the bench floor.
Task: Create a Zone Polygon and Re-project Sump Holes

1. Choose Blast > Zone Polygon, type in sump for the Zone Polygon Name, click Ok and digitize an area you want to place the sump.
For this exercise just digitize around any 5 holes in the blast pattern. The image below shows an example of a sump zone polygon.
Make a note of the hole depths in the area you have selected as a sump and add a depth of 3 to the deepest hole. In this example a depth of 16 metres has been selected, as this will make the digging
Drill and Blast Tutorial Page 52 of 64
Other Functions
Designing a Sump
easier in this area to place a sump. Choose Blast > Blast Pattern Setup, click on the Surfaces tab and change the Toe Surface selection to Depth and put in a value of 16 if you have selected the same holes as shown in the image above.
2.
Choose the Blast Explorer tab, right-click on the Zone Polygon sump and select Reproject as shown below, and click Ok the Re-project Holes dialog presented. The holes in the sump area will now be projected to the required depth, which will be 16 minus 0.3 standoff, resulting in a depth of each sump hole of 15.7.
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Other Functions
Designing a Sump
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Other Functions
Front Row Burden
Front Row Burden

A report can be generated that flags holes within a nominated minimum burden to the open face. This is to help you identify which holes, and the depth thereof, that are too close to the open face, and may cause blow outs and present a dangerous blasting scenario. The image below shows an example of burden check positions.
Task: Report Burden

1. Choose the Blast Explorer tab, right-click Row 1 and select Report Burden. It is then necessary to define the down hole intervals at which you want the program to search for the open face surface and the number of degrees at which it will search, as shown in the Setup Burden Report dialog.
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Other Functions
Front Row Burden
A report will now be sent to the output window. Any hole that has a burden less than the minimum specified of 4 will be flagged by **, as shown below. Hole 1 on Row 1, at a depth of 2.00, is at a distance of 3.51 from the front face of AIRPHOTO3PT.tr5.
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Other Functions
Front Row Burden
Task: Graphical Blast Hole Influence

Blast-hole influence This is similar to report burden in that it flags potential overpressure issues due to the face blowing out. 1. 2. Choose Plotting Parameters > Blast Pattern Setup dialogue and check the box marked Display Blast Influence. Select a radius of about half your burden Click Ok.
Ensure that the topographic surface is also displayed in the graphics window, via menu Triangle => Display.
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Other Functions
Reports
In this example there are no holes with too little burden, so you may want to increase the blast influence radius to 8, just too see how it displays. You should get an image similar to shown below.
Reports
Task: Drillers Report
This generic report outlines the area, map, and class of the holes, and the blast holes numbers. This file can be edited and used to create custom reports for the drillers and charge crew.
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Other Functions
Reports
1.
Choose Blast > Drillers Report and then the report will be generated in the output window.
Task: GPS Report

This report can be created for the surveyors in a file that can be easily uploaded into their GPS Guided equipment 1. Choose Blast > GPS Report and fill out the dialog as shown to produce a GPS report in Sokia (SDR_OUT) Format. You could also select Aquila (AQM) format from the Output Type list box if you have Aquila guided GPS Equipment.
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Other Functions
Fanning of Drill Holes

The drill and blast engineer will know the rough estimate of the spacing they want for a particular shot. This spacing however can yield a disproportionate amount of holes in areas so the number can be altered to maximise efficiency through fanning. A situation that would require fanning is displayed in the image below.
In this particular example the drill and blast engineer knows that historically a pattern of 6.5m x 8.0m has worked well. As only a finite number of rows can be placed between the first and last rows it is necessary to determine rows of best fit between the two through fanning. This is calculated as:
Y (70m) = 10.76 S (6.5m) rows. So you would use 11 rows as the closest whole number.
Now, the spacing used at x and z will be very different and need to be calculated.
X= Z=
65m = 5.91m 11rows 75m = 6.81m 11rows
Calculate these figures for your design from the queried distances and note them for later.
Task: Create Fanned Pattern

Exit Minex, restart, and follow the same steps in this tutorial up until the section entitled Setout Line 1. 2. Choose Blast > Setout Line. Tick the Normal to Reference Line option and select Setout Line of 1. Selecting normal to reference line will ensure that the first row is lined up at 90 to the reference line.
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Other Functions
3.
Digitise a line from left to right, approximately parallel to the bench face as shown by the dotted black line in the image below. Right-click and select Accept when you have finished digitising.
4.
Click Yes to the Offset from this line? question. Selecting Yes will allow you to offset rows out to the end of the Reference Line.
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Other Functions
5.
On the Setout Line dialog select the Generate to last RefLine Intersection and the Right option. The direction of the offset will be with respect to the direction the first row was digitised.
6.
Click Ok.
The dialog and your graphics display should be similar to the screen capture shown below. Note that the rows are now fanned, with burden increasing to the right for the image shown below.
7.
Choose Blast Explorer > Blast Pattern Setup dialog. You will notice that the rows have all been updated in the explorer. Right-click on Blast pattern. A list of options will appear. Select generate holes and answer No to the question Include Hole Offset on First Row .
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Other Functions
8.
Right-click on Blast pattern: Select Reproject and Ok the next dialog selecting Vertical Holes and a Stand-Off of 0.3 to complete the generation of the fanned pattern.
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Summary
Congratulations on completing this tutorial. You should now have an understanding of how to design a blast pattern, and specifically how to: Display data Define a blast layout Define a reference line Define a setout line Edit blast patterns/holes Design pre-split holes Design a sump Report front row burden Report drill hole information Design a fanned pattern
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Drill&BlastTutorial ForMinexv5.3 April2008

Drill and Blast Tutorial

About This Document

Drill and Blast Tutorial

About This Document

Drill and Blast Tutorial

About This Document

Windows and Dialog Boxes

Elements of Windows and Dialog Boxes

Drop-down arrow Drop-down list Group box

Drill and Blast Tutorial

About This Document

A set of options or actions that you can perform.

Option button Spin box

Drill and Blast Tutorial

Set up Blast Tutorial Project

Task: Start Minex

Task: Set up Blast Project Directory

Drill and Blast Tutorial

Set up Blast Tutorial Project

symbol beside C: drive and

Drill and Blast Tutorial

Set up Blast Tutorial Project

Right-click the Ashes folder and choose Set Project Directory.

Drill and Blast Tutorial

Set up Blast Tutorial Project

Task: Set the Local Origin

Expand the tree so that it shows the Local Origin row.

Drill and Blast Tutorial

Displaying Data Set

7. If requested, Exit Minex and restart it.

Displaying Data Set

Task: Plot Geometry Data

Drill and Blast Tutorial

Displaying Data Set

5. Click F to do a final plot of the Geometry Data.

Drill and Blast Tutorial

Displaying Data Set

Task: Plot Seam and Topographical surfaces

Drill and Blast Tutorial

Displaying Data Set

2. Right-click and select Display and Open to Display the grid.

Drill and Blast Tutorial

Displaying Data Set

and mouse to rotate/move the data.

Drill and Blast Tutorial

Displaying Data Set

Drill and Blast Tutorial

Defining a Blast Layout

Task: Setup Blast Pattern

Drill and Blast Tutorial

Defining a Blast Layout

Displaying Data Set

In our case select the area TRAIN and type in a zone of B1

Drill and Blast Tutorial

Defining a Blast Layout

Displaying Data Set

Drill and Blast Tutorial

Defining a Blast Layout

Displaying Data Set

Drill and Blast Tutorial

Defining a Blast Layout