Technology group Sandvik Mining’s new tunnelling project management and information analysis software, Intelligent Sandvik Underground Rock Excavation (iSure), which helps to optimise drilling and blasting patterns, is ready for implementation, says Sandvik Mining business line manager for underground drills Saltiel Pule.
He tells Mining Weekly that Sandvik has integrated iSure into the operation of its 400 series mining jumbos drills, such as the DD421 60c rock driller, which will enable mining operators to track tunnel development and assess the blasting outcomes.
Pule adds that the software guarantees smooth tunnelling work, as it provides specific guidance for different stages of the drilling and blasting process.
iSure is an integrated solution that combines tunnel-line and theoretical profile design drill-plan design and data collection analysis. “The advantage of the tool is that, contrary to the traditional approach, it designs the tunnelling pattern at the end of the round, when successful blasting is at its most critical,” explains Pule.
This provides hole-burden calculus and enhanced hole location accuracy, thereby ensuring improved blasting and better pull-out, a reduced need for scaling, increased rock loadability and smoother collaring in the following round, he adds.
iSure also offers a project tree that combines all tunnel plans in one project – this can include either one tunnel plan or several different plans, says Pule.
A tunnel plan, in turn, combines a curve table, tunnel profiles, drill plans, lasers and data collection files – all of which can be controlled separately.
Moreover, iSure supplies tunnel-line, drill and blast design options, as well as two-by-two views for project reporting, as information can be extracted from the database and displayed on a screen.
As the basis of the drilling and blasting pattern design, the software uses explosive power, which is the amount of explosives needed to break a particular volume of rock, and has specific charging requirements for the different parts of the tunnel cross section. iSure requires information about the weight and power of explosive charges in holes, as well as the depth of the fracture, notes Pule, adding that the fracture zone can be visualised during the preparation of the pattern.
He notes that iSure, which was developed in Tampere, Finland, over the last five years, has been integrated into drilling and tunnelling systems in Sweden, Switzerland, South Korea and now also in South Africa.
He notes, however, that while Sandvik’s system is ready for implementation, change management and operational readiness in mines are required to ensure its smooth implementation.
Education and Training
Pule highlights that the introduction of iSure in underground mining will promote the need to train drill-rig operators and development drill masters and blasting engineers.
“Sandvik sent five technical personnel to Finland for a week last year to undergo training and gain a high-level overview of the iSure system.
“We have identified technical individuals and training dates for iSure drill masters in South Africa to undergo operational training on the DD421 60c,” he says.
Pule adds that iSure can be regarded as “a step in the right direction” for Sandvik’s DD422i, which he believes is the next-generation-development drill rig.