Underground Stope Drill and Blast

Designs Optimization Program

11th International Symposium on Rock Fragmentation by Blasting
Sydney, Australia, August 24th 2015
By Daniel Roy, Eng.
Goldcorp | lonore site

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Goldcorp | lonore site environment

Goldcorp
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Amphibolite facies gold mineralization: An example from the Roberto deposit
Jean-Franois Ravenelle, doctoral thesis, December 3, 2012, Quebec City

Dcapage Roberto, Juin 2014

Goldcorp
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Goldcorp | lonore project description

lonore gold mine project exploitation started in 2014

Commercial production declared on April 1, 2015

Daily tonnage of 3000 - 4200 metric tons is planned until 2017

The mine should reach its planned peak of production of approximately

7000 metric tons per day in the first half of 2018

Preliminary evaluations were done on stopes of greater dimensions

This study was one of the first initiatives taken on stopes that do not
exceed 3 meters in width

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Goldcorp
T E X T |L Ilonore
NE 2 production zones
Exploration Shaft

Horizon 1
230mLv

Horizon 2
440mLv

Horizon 3
650mLv

Horizon 4 800mLv

Decline 887mLv (Mar. 31, 2015)

Production Shaft 1145mLv (Mar. 31, 2015)

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Abstract
The easiest way to mine valuable ore bodies is through the use of
explosives and well-planned blasting layouts that produce
fragmentation profiles specifically designed for conveyance
equipment in underground mines.
The design of blasting patterns is specific to not only the
explosives that are being used, but also to the rock or ore type
that is being fragmented.
The primary technical objective of this paper is to outline a unique
methodology for determining underground blasting methodologies
(developing specific blasting parameters) commensurate with
explosive energies and rock/ore equations of state for a narrow
vein gold property located in Northern Quebec and underground
mines in general.

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 Blast design software
Break parameter views

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Blast design methodology
The procedures developed are to define the desired fragmentation
specification

Specific thermodynamic break, taking into account:

- powder factor
- energy factor
- tonnages
- explosive energies distribution
- blasthole diameter
- orebody orientation
- specific type of explosive and dynamic rock/ore properties

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Blast design methodology
Dynamic rock/ore properties:
- Determining dynamic modulus values for the ore using seismic sensors to
measure P and S wave velocities,
- Parameters will be used to set the design constraints to maximize recovery
and to minimize overbreak and dilution.

New underground blasting software (AEGIS/i-Ring) will use a

thermodynamic break in conjunction with defined fragmentation profiles
to create an array of blasting parameters used to design and plan ring
layouts.

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Narrow vein design | All bulk emulsion loads

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Optimal loading scenarios | Products mix

North East view

Top view

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Mine rock properties

Type of rock Rcompressive Rtensile Youngs Poisson Density

(Mpa) (Mpa) Modulus (Gpa) ratio (m.t./m3)

Mineralized
wacke (ore)
122.0 17.0* 42.63 0.16 2.74

Wacke
162.0 15.0* 39.05 0.14 2.75
(Waste)

* These values Rtensile were used in the estimation

of the design break of each explosives types.

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Ore rock parameters
General Rock Classification - 1 Local Properties - 4
Rock Name : ORE ELEONORE Static Compressive Strength (Mpa) 121.97
TYPE METAMORPHIC ID : 215 Dynamic Compressive Strength (Mpa) 152.46
Location NW QUEBEC Static Tensile Strength (Mpa) 6.16
Source GOLDGORP ELEONORE MINE Dynamic Tensile Strength (Mpa) 7.7
Global Properties - 2 In-Situ Compressive Rating (Mpa) 121.97

Youngs Modulus (Gpa) 42.63 In-Situ Tensile Rating (Mpa) 6.16

Poisson Ratio 0.16 General Structure and In-Situ Geology - 3

Rock Density (kg/m3) 2739.63 Join Sets THREE JOINT SETS 50
Fracture Index (%) 25.3 Geology 1000
P-Wave Velocity (m/s) 4098.70 Q (10 - 100) 80 JRC (10-100) 80

S-Wave Velocity (m/s) 2607.63 RMR (10 - 100) LOW 60 HIGH 80

Shear Modulus (Gpa) 18.38
Bulk Modulus (Gpa) 20.89
Crack Velocity (m/s) 1206.07

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Break radius simulation per charge types
Standard Break Parameters
Dynamic Values Sensitivity on Break -30% -15% Mean 15% 30%

In-Situ Tensile Rating (MPa) 4.31 5.23 6.16 7.08 8.01

In-Situ Compressive Rating (MPa) 85.37 103.67 121.97 140.26 158.56

Borehole Pressure (MPa) 5036.26 5196.28 5361.38 5531.72 5707.48

Minimum Break (m) 2.33 2.21 2.12 2.05 2.00

Maximum Break (m) 5.08 4.68 4.38 4.15 3.97

BKO 45.000 SBR 1.140

J: Pattern Spacing (m) 2.45 2.36 2.30 2.24 2.20

K: Pattern Burden (m) 2.15 2.07 2.02 1.97 1.93

Tons Broken (Ton metric) 213.9 198.91 187.86 179.32 172.53

Powder Factor A for a full Explosives Column (kg/ton metric) 1.13 1.21 1.28 1.35 1.40

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Bulk emulsion break results | 100mm vs 90mm charge
GOLDCORP lonore mine | Test bloc 1, Break Radius Simulations per charge types

Blast holes of 100mm over 30m Blast holes of 90mm over 30m

SUBTEK charge 100mm (fully coupled) SUBTEK charge 90mm (fully coupled)

0% overlap: 0% overlap: 15% overlap:

Rmin 10.28ft Rmin: 9.43 Rmin: 8.28
Rmax 22.19ft Rmax 24.50ft Rmax 20.82ft
Pattern: 14.4 x 16.4 Pattern: 13.08 x 15.36ft Pattern: 10.47 xx 12.29ft

25% overlap: 25% overlap:

Rmin: 8.27 Rmin: 7.60
Rmax 19.64ft Rmax 18.37ft
Pattern: 9.72 x 11.08ft Pattern: 8.87 x 10.41ft

35% overlap: 35% overlap:

Rmin 7.59 Rmin: 6.99
Rmax 13.02ft Rmax 15.92ft
Pattern: 8.09 x 9.23ft Pattern: 7.40 x 8.69 ft

45% overlap: 45% overlap:

Rmin 6.98 (2.13m) Rmin: 6.44
Rmax 14.40ft Rmax 13.47 ft
Pattern: 6.63 x 7.75ft (closest to mine pattern of 6.43 x 7.54ft) Pattern: 6.08 x 7.14 ft

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 Vibration limits review

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Observations | Vibration amplitude value limits
New maximum limits were defined from the monitoring program applied
over the last few months.
At the start of our study, a limit of 250mm/sec had been established,
based on readings made at some 30-40m distances from the stope
blasts.
Determination of the P wave value, made from our March 2015 trials,
allowed us to establish much better correlations between amplitude levels
measured at proximity to the stope hanging walls and permanent
damage criteria.
A P wave value of 6,414m/sec was obtained from our monitoring, while it
had initially been estimated to 4,099m/sec at the beginning of our work.

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Establishment of new vibration amplitude limits
PPV = Tdyn / Density x Pv
- Density : 2.74 m.t./m3
- Dynamic tensile strength: 17.0MPa
- P wave velocity: 6,414m/sec

According to the dynamic tensile strength determined, we get the

following window of values:

The indicated values represent the limit that should not be exceeded in
order to avoid incipient permanent damage to the wall structures.

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Vibration limit exceedances
Some important exceedances in certain complex production blasts.
Blast no.3 of stope 440-0505-354 was a special case that needed more
attention to better understand muck flow mechanisms involved.
The stope configuration included two perpendicular portions, with:
- Trench including the slot being E-W, and
- Bulk portion of the tonnage along the N-S axis.
Initial phase was to open the E-W trench (rings 20 to 27) surrounding the
slot containing a 0.76m reamed hole.
Once this volume was fired, 2 groups of sections were attacked,
1) rings 7 to 19 were mainly shooting from S to N, while
2) rings 1 to 3 were going N to S.

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HF-01 & HF-02 geophone positions on level 410

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Two perpendicular stope portions
7

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N Areas of intense amplitudes
Increase of amplitude levels following progression
of the blast firing sequence (HF-02)

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Charter Limits PPV vs SD SD: 1 to 9
250mm/sec

Scale distance value from 1 to 9

for regular long hole blasts.
250mm/sec: normal break
> 569mm/sec: ``X-Damage``
Parameter PPV (mm/s)

Rock breakage 2540

Onset of rock 635
breakage
Rock falls in unlined 306
tunnel
Horizontal 762
displacement in loose
material
Weakening of 457
bulkheads
underground
Electric motor shaft 254
misalignment

Cracked plaster 50.8

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Impact of high vibration amplitude on hanging wall

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Underground seismic measures
for cylindrical charges where L/D > 6:1
Cylindrical shock wave in
expansion

Scale distance formula

SD: D / W1/2

SD values from 1 to 9 for regular

long hole blasts

We use equivalent cylinder

dimensions to show the break
of various types of explosive
charges.
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Different geometries to define break
and powder factor in mining

Suitable to surface mining More suitable to underground ring blasting

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 Drill pattern adjustments
based on overlap ratio (%)

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Break radius calculation for various explosives
Established break radius for each explosive product, using
the mineralized rock parameter values that were supplied
Updated once we completed our in-situ field measurements
P wave measurements to revise the equivalent break radius
New comparisons were made between:
- Usual drill patterns
- Those the mine was envisioning to apply using
0.1m hole diameter (2.0m x 2.3m).

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Typical radial fractures in blast fragments

High shock energy Low shock energy

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Maximum break

Distance that
a certain percentage of
cracks can reach

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% overlap between cylindrical envelops

% overlap, Rmin, Rmax, R equivalent break cylinder,

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Ore geomechanical parameters in 2014

4099 m/s =

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Ore geomechanical parameters measured in 2015

6199 m/s =

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Design breaks per product types
2014 values
# 0 25 35 45

Design Break 10.28pi. / 3.13m 8.27pi. / 2.52m 7.59pi. / 2.31m 6.98pi. / 2.13m
Rmin:2.13m

Pattern 14.4 x 16.4 pi. 9.72 x11.08 pi. 8.09 x 9.23 pi. 6.63 x7.75 pi.
(pi./m) 4.39 x 5.0m 2.96 x 3.38m 2.47 x 2.81m 2.00 x 2.30m

New values from 2015 (increase of 3.7%)

% OVERLAP 0 25 35 45 51

Design Break 10.68pi./3.26m 8.58pi./2.62m 7.87pi./2.40m 7.23pi./2.20m 6.88pi./2.10m

Rmin: 2,21m

Pattern (pi./m) 15.73 x 17.93 10.83 x 12.35 9.06 x10.33pi. 7.44 x 8.48 pi. 6.54 x 7.45pi
4.80 x 5.47m 3.30 x 3.77m 2.76 x 3.15m 2.27 x 2.59m 2.00 x 2.30m

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Design break calculation per product types
Increase of 3.7% of the design break for the same 0.1m SUBTEK
charge (Rmin goes from 2.13m to 2.21m)

Consequences:
- Significant increase in the powder factor
- Increased risk of detrimental charge interaction (dead-press)
- Tolerable deviation percentage has to be significantly reduced
- Potential for detonation velocity reduction because of high charge
concentration in certain areas of the panels
- Possibility of bulk emulsion desensitization (lower VOD, more toxic fumes,
more large boulders in draw points)

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High % overlap between charges | Consequences

Desensitization

Block of 0.6m

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Observations | Waste chunks of 0.6m thick
Similar big blocks coming from the damage to the
hanging walll done by the radial cracks.

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 Firing Sequences

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Firing delay methodology based on the equation of
dynamic movement

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Delay determination using burden velocity (Gv)
and the desired % of burden moved (n):
2-3 holes/section, large stope, depth of 32.0m Pattern of 2.0m x 2.3m: large stope
Length of charge: 30.0m (100pi)
Velocity of detonation: 5,488m/sec (18,000
pi./sec)
Spacing: 2.3m (7.54pi.)
Burden: 2.0m (6.57pi)
P-wave velocity: 6,414,/sec (21,038pi./sec)
S-wave velocity: 2,608m/sec (8,555pi./sec)
Crack propagation velocity: 1,206m/sec
(3,956pi./sec)
Gv: burden movement velocity
% advance of burden: n= 0.3, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0

Timing options:
Inter-hole delay = 15ms/hole
Possible inter-row delays of 44ms, 52ms, 61ms, 74ms, 114ms to 140ms

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 Conclusion

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Conclusion
For the last 12 months, the lonore Mine engineering department and
several external experts have defined optimal blasting practices for their
continuously changing mining conditions.
- The vibration data collection program implemented in 2014 has
delivered valuable benefits and will remain a key component of the
program.
- Through the in-situ seismic waves measurement program, we were
able characterize and quantify, with greater precision, the wave
transmission mode in the rock mass they are presently mining.
- The challenges remain to customize stopes design that deliver the
mineral value expected and planned to be fully recovered.
- Several blasting software tools were used to assist with the
interpretation and visualization of the different types of monitoring that
were performed.

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Conclusion
Our key findings were:
- Limits that must be respected to avoid inducing permanent stopes wall
damage
- The vibration amplitude limit of a regular 200kg charge of bulk
emulsion should not exceed 300mm/sec.
- Adjustments to electronic firing sequences as part of an on-going
challenge as the mine is looking to reduce its number of blasts per
stope.
- On going statistical data compilation and regression to define
attenuation modes applicable to each future mining horizons at
lonore.

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Conclusion
Up coming tasks:
- Quantification of fragmentation generated by specific blasting
scenarios will guide us in our approach.
- Modeling adjustments to firing sequences as a function of burden
velocities through AEGIS/i-Ring
- Variable energy application along the stope wall limits will be
investigated.

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Typical results with an optimized design

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Typical CMS results with an optimized design

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Once appliedno excess of dilution

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Questions ?

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Thank You
For over 35 years, BBA has been offering a wide
range of consulting engineering and project
management services, from project definition to
commissioning. The firms expertise is recognized in
the fields of energy, mining and metals, and oil, gas
and biofuels. BBA relies on a team of seasoned
experts to transform complex problems into practical,
innovative and sustainable solutions.

BBA is supported by a network of offices across

Canada to better serve its clients and carry out
mandates at the local, national and international
levels.

Daniel Roy, Eng.

+1 450-464-2111, ext. 8581
daniel.roy@bba.ca

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