Electronic vs

Pyrotechnic Detonators
Presented by Philipa Lamb
RedBull Powder Company Ltd

Overview
Electronic Delay Detonator

Background

Methodology

Case Studies

Capacitor

Lead
Wire

Earth
Spike

Fuse
Head

Microchip

Primary
Charge

Base
Charge

Pyrotechnic Detonator

Conclusions

Sealer Crimp

Crimp

Shock Tube

Bushing

Isolation
Cup

Delay Train

Primary
Charge

Base
Charge

Background
Historic Review of Scatter
Safety Fuse 1 meter

10000

Log Scatter (ms)

1000

Electric
Detonators

100

Pyrotechnic
Detonators

10

First
Generation
Electronic
Delay
Detonators

0.1
1860

1910

1925

1950 1950

1965 1965

1990 1990

2003

Methodology First Example

Probability and Consequence
100%
Relative Rock Response
80%

Relative Effect

Relative Electronic
Timing Probability
60%
66% Confidence
Interval for
Pyrotechnic

40%

20%

25 ms
-40

-20

20

40

Relative
Pyrotechnic Timing
Probabiliy
60

Inter Shot Interval (ms)

80

100

120

Methodology - Second Example

Probability and Consequence
100%
Relative Rock Response
80%

Relative Effect

Relative Electronic
Timing Probability
60%

40%

66% Confidence
Interval for
Pyrotechnic

20%
Relative
Pyrotechnic Timing
Probabiliy

35 ms
-40

-20

20

40

60

Inter Shot Interval (ms)

80

100

120

Methodology Conclusion

Electronic detonators improve timing accuracy:

Increases fragmentation
Improves production rates
Increases overall efficiency

Stock inventory decreases, as any delay time can

be chosen

Case Studies using Electronic Detonators

Manukau Quarry, Auckland - Basalt Quarry
Controlling Vibration

Reliable Way Quarry, Auckland - Basalt Quarry

Controlling Vibration

Martha Gold Mine, Waihi, New Zealand - Open Cast

Gold Mine
Controlling Vibration and Increasing Production

Trapper Coal Mine, Colorado, USA - Open Cast Coal

Mine
Controlling High Wall Stability

Manukau Quarry, Auckland

Basalt Quarry

Aim
To control vibration while
blasting next to main highway
and archeological site

Result
Vibration levels controlled
through use of explosive
decking and timing optimisation
Production levels maintained

Conclusion
Significant improvement in
vibration control through the
use of electronic detonators

Reliable Way Quarry, Auckland

Basalt Quarry

Aim
Maintain
production levels
while complying
to vibration limits
of 5mm/s (PPV)

Methodology
Delay optimisation
for vibration
control
Sequential
delaying of
explosive decks
within each blast

Reliable Way Quarry, Auckland

Basalt Quarry

Delay Sequence of Explosive Decks within a Blast

175ms
0ms

35ms
350ms

70ms

140ms

280ms

105ms
455ms
245ms

420ms
210ms
595ms
385ms

Reliable Way Quarry, Auckland

Basalt Quarry
Results

Production blasting
achieved to within 35m
of quarry boundary
Frequency channelling
improved the public
perception of blasting

Conclusion
Extended the reserves
of the quarry through
the use of electronic
detonators

Peak Partical Velocity versus Distance to Boundary

Peak Partical Velocity (mm/sec)

10
Calculated
PPV

8
6

Limit

Actual
PPV

2
0
85

68

52

Distance from Boundary (m)

35

Martha Gold Mine, Waihi, New Zealand

Open Cast Gold Mine

Aim
Increase
predictability of
vibration
Improve
fragmentation
Improve mining
production

Martha Gold Mine, Waihi, New Zealand

Open Cast Gold Mine

Results

Weekly Mining Production

Charge masses per

hole doubled
Blast size
increased from an
average 70 holes
to a maximum of
1300 holes
There was a five
fold increase in
production on the
North Wall

Total Mine

Production (BCM)

Pyrotechnics

Electronics

North Wall

April

July

October

Date (2002)

December

Martha Gold Mine, Waihi, New Zealand

Open Cast Gold Mine

Results
Oversize
percentage
decreased by 50%
Mine production
improved 8%
Excavator
efficiency
increased by 17%

Conclusion
Mine converted to
electronic system

Oversize Comparison
Total Mine

Oversive Production (%)

Pyrotechnics

Electronics

North Wall

April

July

Date (2002)

October

December

Trapper Coal Mine, Colorado, USA

Open Cast Coal

Aim
To improve the
stability of high walls
To improve cast,
fragmentation and
dragline production

Methodology
To use the flexibility
of electronic timing
to reduce the
vibration that affects
the high walls
stability

Trapper Coal Mine, Colorado USA

Open Cast Coal

Results
High walls stable where previously pyrotechnic
presplit had failed
Improved fragmentation

Conclusion
Mine converted to electronic system

Case Study Conclusion

Electronic systems have been successful at the

four sites discussed

Electronic Delay Detonators have:

Improved production rates
Improved overall efficiency
Minimised vibration
Improved fragmentation
Improved face conditions
Increased safety

Conclusive Benefits of Electronic over

Pyrotechnic Detonators

Significantly improved cost efficiencies and output

Greater flexibility for blast design

True comparison of cost is not of using an

electronic system, but rather not using one!

Electronic detonators have extended the life of

quarries and mines
Despite higher unit cost of electronic detonators
production output and cost efficiencies more than
offset this cost.