Automated Blast Hole Volume Analysis
We all want to know how much rock is in each shot. This would be easy if we always had smooth rectangular benches and perfectly even drill patterns. But unfortunately real life gets in the way.
The traditional simple calculation of (burden x spacing x bench height x # holes) cannot take into account common situations like varying face profiles and irregular patterns.
Strayos solves this by providing automated measurement of hole volumes using an AI-powered geospatial algorithm combined with 3D drone model data.
It can handle disjointed patterns, ramp shots, double benches and can also automatically filter out muck in front of the face.
This provides a more accurate shot volume calculation and also allows users to optimize shot designs to achieve more even powder factor across the bench.
How does it work?
Step 1 - The algorithm creates a set of 2D circles around the blast holes
Step 2 - It then trims those circles where they meet one another using a mathematical method known as Voronoi Decomposition
Step 3 - The hole boundaries are then trimmed based on the toe line. This is determined using Highwall Detection AI as well as 2D burden information for each hole.
Step 4 - Finally, the algorithm trims the back of the shot based on the specified back break distance.
What benefits are our customers seeing?
More accurate production forecasting for mines and quarries
It is critical for any mining operation blast enough to maintain feed for the primary crusher. On the flip side, overproducing from the pit results in an enormous wasted cost.
By knowing exactly how much rock is coming from each blast, sites can improve scheduling and unlock huge savings on their realised cost per ton.
Better understanding of true cost of blasting
It's impossible to measure the true cost per ton based on the simplified formula (burden x spacing x bench height x # holes).
Gaining an accurate understanding of blasting costs enables more precise budgeting and allows proper comparisons to be made between different explosive products or designs.
More uniform fragmentation across the blast
When benches are rarely ever perfectly regular shapes. This makes it difficult to design patterns that distribute energy evenly throughout the rock.
By knowing the effective volume of each hole, blasters can optimize hole locations to ensure that the powder factor is uniform across the shot. This helps provide the best possible fragmentation even on complex benches.
New technologies are rapidly changing the drilling, blasting, mining, and aggregates industries, empowering them in ways never before possible. Make sure you are taking advantage of the best tools available.
Check out our 2 Free E-books on AI applications for the drilling, blasting, and mining industries to see all the amazing advances that are available.
AI Guide for Drilling and Blasting
AI Guide for Mining
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