 Ore loss and dilution can have a significant economic impact on large open pit metalliferous mines yet ore loss and dilution can be controlled if movement within the muckpile can be measured and/or predicted. Until recently, however, no ideal method of measuring blasted muckpile movement existed.
In response to this need, during 2002/2003, the JKMRC developed an electronic blast movement monitor (BMM) system capable of accurately measuring 3-dimensional movement. The BMM rapidly determines the 3-dimensional movement vectors of each blast, directly measuring blast movement and hence minimising ore loss and dilution for that particular blast or, alternatively, gathering data useful for the establishment of a muckpile movement model, the complexity and accuracy of which is dependent upon the quantity and quality of the data.
The proposed research will make a unique contribution to the field of ore loss and dilution by understanding and quantifying 3-dimensional muckpile movement from blasting in open pit mines. Further technical development of the system will make it more practical and enhance its capabilities. The data necessary for the research will be gathered almost exclusively from full-scale production blasting, with the exception of some fundamental transmitter research as required.
Contact InformationIsles Road, Indooroopilly, Qld Australia 4068
Phone:+61 7 3365 5888
Fax: +61 7 3365 5999
Email: jkmrc@uq.edu.au |
Measuring and modelling muckpile movement to reduce ore loss and dilution