(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)

(19) World Intellectual Property Organization

International Bureau

(43) International Publication Date (10) International Publication Number

30 August 2007 (30.08.2007)
(51) International Patent Classification:
E21C 37/16 (2006.01) F42D 3/04 (2006.01)
(21) International Application Number:
PCT/IB2007/000387
(22) International Filing Date:
19 February 2007 (19.02.2007)
(25) Filing Language:
(26) Publication Language:
(30) Priority Data:
20060016.1 20 February 2006 (20.02.2006)
(71) Applicant (for all designated States except US): IN¬
STITUTE OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFOR¬
MATION TECHNOLOGIES, KYRGYZ-RUSSIAN
SLAVIC UNIVERSITY [KG/KG]; 44, Kievskaya Str.,
72000 Bishkek (KG).
(72) Inventors; and
(75) Inventors/Applicants (for US only): KOVALENKO,
Vitaliy Akimovich [KG/KG]; 119-14, Shopokova Str.,
720000 Bishkek (KG). DOLGUSHEV, Vyacheslav
Grigorievich [KG/KG]; 56-44, Microdistinct 7, 720073
Bishkek (KG).
PCT WO 2007/096734 Al
(81) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
kind of national protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM,
AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BW, BY, BZ, CA, CH, CN,
CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, DZ, EC, EE, EG, ES, FT,
GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, GT, HN, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS,
JP, KE, KG, KM, KN, KP, KR, KZ, LA, LC, LK, LR, LS,
LT, LU, LV, LY, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MY,
MZ, NA, NG, NI, NO, NZ, OM, PG, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS,
RU, SC, SD, SE, SG, SK, SL, SM, SV, SY, TJ, TM, TN,
English
TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VC, VN, ZA, ZM, ZW
English (84) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
kind of regional protection available): ARIPO (BW, GH,
GM, KE, LS, MW, MZ, NA, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZM,
KG ZW), Eurasian (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM),
European (AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI,
FR, GB, GR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LT, LU, LV, MC, NL, PL, PT,
RO, SE, SI, SK, TR), OAPI (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA,
GN, GQ, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG).
Published:
— with international search report
— before the expiration of the time limit for amending the
claims and to be republished in the event of receipt of
amendments
For two-letter codes and other abbreviations, refer to the "G uid
ance Notes on Codes and Abbreviations" appearing at the beg in
ning of each regular issue of the PCT Gazette.

(54) Title: METHOD FOR DRILLING-AND-BLASTING OPERATIONS AT OPEN PITS

(57) Abstract: Method for drilling and blasting operations at open pits includes providing a database on rock properties of the
deposit; constructing a geometrical model of elementary units (3) of similar rock properties; designing a network of blast holes
(4) and drilling the blast holes; determining a timing of sequential firing of a multi-shot blast; and blasting hole charges (5). The
method further comprises the preliminary modeling of a network of blast holes comprising a uniform distribution over the volumes
of elementary units of destruction zones caused by single hole blasts and the determination of blast hole coordinates based on the
simulation blast modeling. Rock massif data is transmitted to the database while drilling the blast holes; the modeling of a final blast
is based on the determined blast hole coordinates and rock properties of the operational unit; and the determination of blast hole
charges is based on the final blast modeling.
 METHOD FOR DRILLING-AND-BLASTING OPERATIONS
AT OPEN PITS

Introduction

This invention relates to a method for mining at open pits of e.g. coal, ore
as well as non-ore mineral deposits. In particular, the invention relates to a
method for drilling—and—blasting operation at open pits, wherein boreholes are
drilled and then blast loads put into them to blast rocks.

Drilling— and—blasting operation (DBO) is the universally used method in

the mining industry, conventionally used to loosen rock masses composed by
heterogeneous rocks. However, the basic shortcoming of DBO, used to loosen
deposits composed by rocky and semi-rocky rocks, is a low efficiency of high
explosives energy use while blasting, due to insufficient taking into account of
actual physical and mechanical properties of rock masses being blasted. A s a
result, conventional DBO is accompanied by large yields of lump rock pieces,
insufficient workup of the bench rock or considerable rock excavations outside
an area under blasting (Reference Book on Open Pit Mining Operations.
Moscow. Mining, 1994, pp.195-199, 217-218).

As a prototype, Russian Federation patent application RU 2261326

entitled "Method to Loosen Heterogeneous Solid Rocks" is used. This method
comprises sequentially: a) collection of data on basic structural and strength
rock properties, based on all available survey results; b) detailed zoning of rock
masses and selecting of massif operational units to. blast and, within the
operational units, elementary homogeneous rock units; c) developing a software
tool, and finally d) an automated elementary unit loosening by any applicable
means: mechanical, pneumatical, by DBO or by a synergy of various means.
More specifically, selective loosening of particular elementary units having
identical component rock properties is not efficient for simultaneous destruction
f large operational units. Also, it is proposed that in order to destroy
elementary units of intermittent strength, boreholes of different diameters should
be drilled within any rock massif being loosened according to the pre¬
determined network of boreholes. While planning DBO for specific boreholes, a
variation of rock massif strength over its volume is not taken into account, which
leads to inefficient energy distribution inside the unit being destroyed and, in
turn, to operational cost increase and DBO productivity decrease, since drilling
tools need to be replaced and other equipment re-adjusted, dependent on a
particular way of borehole drilling (rotary, percussion-rotary, rotary-percussion
or a combination thereof). The purpose of the software tool is merely to
automatically choose appropriate means for loosening, which is by no means
an appropriate application of state-of-the-art computer technologies to mining
operations at large quarries if automated simultaneous massive destruction of
rock units is implied.

Object of the invention

The object of the present invention is to increase mining productivity, in

particular the efficiency of drilling—and—blasting operations through more
efficient energy distribution over the rock massif volume being destroyed.

General description of the invention

Particularly, the invention addresses this problem through the preliminary

modeling of a network of blast holes at an operational unit with a uniform
distribution over the volumes of elementary units of the zones of rock
destruction caused by single hole blasts. Then a simulation blast of the
operational unit is modeled, based on which the coordinates of blast holes are
determined. Then, while drilling the blast holes, data on rock properties is
transmitted to the database, and the final blast is modeled before making blast
hole charges, based on the factual blast hole coordinates and rock properties
making up the particular operational unit.

Modeling of a uniform distribution of rock destruction zones over the

elementary unit volume formed by single hole blasts is carried out in a semi¬
automatic mode taking into account their interactions within rock destruction
zones and data on rock properties obtained while drilling upper horizon and
adjacent elementary units boreholes. Simulation blasts are modeled via
iterations. Online transmission of data on properties of rocks adjacent to a
borehole is carried out by means of data collection and remote data
transmission for further introduction into the digital model of the deposit.

Blast parameters for an operational unit are corrected, based on results of

the final blast modeling. Rock destruction quality assessment results are
transmitted to the rock property database to be used while modeling for the
working out of the lower level of the pit.

Modeling prior to actual borehole networking, simulation modeling of

blasting operational units before drilling and further correction of the determined
coordinates, considering the real rock data from the boreholes, and final
modeling of the blast with factual borehole coordinates and strength
characteristics of the rock massif allow a quality drilling project to be designed
and blast hole charges of optimal yields to be formed for required rock
destruction, which increases the open pit DBO efficiency. Inclusion of the
operational unit rock destruction quality assessment results into the database
for modeling prior to the working out of the lower levels of the pit increases an
effectiveness and time efficiency of open pit DBO.

As a result of the method, the productivity of operations at quarries will be

optimized from mine-to-mill as a whole. In particular, the output of this method
consists of a network of optimal boreholes, a specific charge for every borehole
and the sequential timing of shooting which maximizes the efficiency of the
whole blast. To sum up, this method provides a tool for daily planning of mining
Operations.

Detailed description with respect to the figures

The present invention will be more apparent from the following description
of a not limiting embodiment with reference to the attached drawings, wherein

Fig.1 shows a general cross-sectional view of the operational unit of an open

pit, the operational unit being sub-divided into elementary units; and
Fig.2 shows the same view from above.

The method for drilling—and—blasting operations at open pits is carried out

in the following way.

Based on the information from geological surveys (supplementary surveys

and other data obtained while working out the deposit), a database on rock
properties is formed and updated while drilling blast holes, and then a digital
model of the deposit is constructed. A n operational survey is carried out, based
on which the rock massif is divided in the boundaries of each level of the open
pit field 1 into operational units 2 , in turn divided into elementary units 3 with
similar physical and mechanical rock properties. Based on the survey data for
operational unit 2 , the overall volume of the mass to be blasted is determined,
taking into account the elementary units 3 . The geometrical model of
operational unit 2 is extracted from the digital model of the deposit. A design for
drilling blast holes and then a certificate for the entire blast are made up,
defining type of explosives, diameter and depth of boreholes. Statistical
processing of destruction quality assessment results for the upper level of the
pit is performed and parameters of the drilling energy vs. rock strength
relationship are determined as well as the destruction zone for a single borehole
for the given fraction composition in the volume of each elementary unit 3 . The
sum of the boreholes for each elementary unit 3 determines the overall number
of boreholes for the operational unit 2 . The number and coordinates of the
boreholes 4 to be put within operational unit 2 are determined iteratively taking
into account its configuration and physical and mechanical properties of rock by
solving the mathematical problem of the even distribution of a given number of
destruction zones inside a unit of an arbitrary configuration with a special
software program. After the optimal arrangement of boreholes 4 within
operational unit 2 (in 2D and 3D graphic view) is found, a simulation blast is
modeled before drilling. Based on the simulation blast results, coordinates of
the boreholes 4 are adjusted with consideration of data on rock properties
obtained while drilling boreholes of the upper level of the pit and boreholes of
adjacent elementary units. Based on the adjusted coordinates, the design for
operational unit 2 drilling according to which the boreholes 4 are drilled, is
corrected. While drilling blast holes 4 , strength rock parameters are monitored
online; modifications are introduced into the database on deposit rock
properties. After drilling of operational unit 2 , the final blast is modeled using the
software and data obtained from boreholes 4 . Based on this final blast modeling
results, the quantity and type of explosives and the design of blast hole charges
5 are set and the "Certificate for Blast" on operational unit 2 is approved. Rock
destruction at operational unit 2 is done by blasting blast hole charges 5 . The
optimal distribution of high explosives in boreholes 4 according to the selected
coordinates and physical and mechanical properties of the rock formations at
elementary unit 3 , when blasting the blast hole charges 5, leads to a
homogeneous rock fractionation of the whole operational unit 2 . The destruction
quality is assessed after blasting (energy required for excavation of blasted
rock, quantity and size of lumps, quality of rock breakup, etc.). The results are
entered into the database and considered while performing drilling—and—
blasting operations at other open pit units.

A n application of the proposed method for drilling—and—blasting operations

at open pits will significantly expedite and simplify the production at mineral
deposits, save high explosives, increase a quality of rock loosening that will
increase a productivity of mining equipment and improve an ecological situation
while working out deposits by minimizing the environmental impact.

List of Reference Signs

1 open pit field

2 operational unit
3 elementary unit
4 borehole
5 blast hole charge
 Claims

1. Method for drilling—and— blasting operations at open pits, comprising the

steps of:

constructing a geometrical model of an operational unit divided into

elementary units of similar rock properties;

designing a network of blast holes in said operational unit;

drilling the blast holes into said operational unit; and

determining a timing of sequential firing of a multi-shot blast and blast hole

charges;

characterized in that

prior to designing said network of blast holes in said operational unit, a

preliminary modeling of a network of blast holes is performed, said
preliminary modeling comprising a uniform distribution of elementary units of
destruction zones caused by single hole blasts;

based on said preliminary modeling of a network of blast holes and on

preliminary database of rock property data, a modeling of a simulation blast
is performed;

based on said modeling of a simulation blast, blast hole coordinates are

determined;

while drilling said blast holes, additional rock property data is collected and
said preliminary database of rock property data is updated with said
additional rock property data;

based on said determined blast hole coordinates and said updated

database of rock property data, a modeling of a final blast is performed; and

based on said final blast modeling, said blast hole charges are determined.

2 . Method according to claim 1, wherein the determination of blast hole

charges comprises the determination of the quantity and/or the type of
explosives.
3 . Method according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein said preliminary modeling is
performed in semi-automatic mode, taking into account blast interactions
and data from said database of rock property data updated with rock
property data obtained while drilling boreholes of the upper level of the pit
and boreholes of adjacent elementary units.

4 . Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein modeling of

simulation blasts is performed iteratively.

5 . Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein rock property data of

rocks adjacent to the borehole is transmitted into said database of rock

property data, for further introduction into a digital model of the deposit.

6 . Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein blasting parameters

at the operational unit are adjusted based on the results of the final blast
modeling.

7 . Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein rock destruction

quality is assessed after blasting.

8 . Method according to claim 7 , wherein the results of said rock destruction

quality assessments are stored in said rock property database and used
while modeling simulation blasts at the lower level of the pit.
 A . CLASSIFICATION OF SUBJECT MATTER ,
INV. E21C37/16 F42D3/04

According to International Patent Classification (IPC) or to both national classification and IPC

B. RELDS SEARCHED
Minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by classification symbols)
E21C F42D

Documentation searched other than minimum documentation to the extent that such documents are included in the fields searched

Electronic data base consulted duπng the international search (name of data base and, where practical, search terms used)

EPO-Internal

C . DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT

Category * Citation of document, with indication, where appropriate, of the relevant passages Relevant to claim No

WO 2005/052499 A (ORICA EXPLOSIVES TECH 1-8

PTY LTD [AU]; BRENT GEOFFREY [AU]; GOSWAMI
TAPAN) 9 June 2005 (2005-06-09)
page 18, line 28 - page 19, line 4

US 6 772 105 B l (HECK SR JAY HOWARD [US]) 1-8

3 August 2004 (2004-08-03)
abstract

US 2004/225431 A l (AEBI WALTER [CH] ET AL 1-8

AEBI WALTER [CH] ET AL)
1 1 November 2004 (2004-11-11)
paragraph [0033]

WO 90/12330 A (MEASUREMENT DEVICES LTD 1-8

[GB]) 18 October 1990 (1990-10-18)
page 7 , paragraph 3 - page 8 , paragraph 1

D Further documents are listed in the continuation of Box C See patent family annex

* Special categories of cited documents

'T' later document published after the international filing date
1A' or pπoπty date and not in conflict with the application but
document defining the general state of the art which is not cited to understand the principle or theory underlying the
considered to be of particular relevance invention
1E' earlier document but published on or alter the international 'X* document of particular relevance, the claimed invention
filing date cannot be considered novel or cannot be considered to
L" document which may throw doubts on pno πty cla ιm(s) or involve an inventive step when the document is taken alone
which is cited to establish the publication date of another 1Y' document of particular relevance, the claimed invention
citation or other special reason (as specified) cannot be considered to involve an inventive step when the
"O" document referring to an oral disclosure, use, exhibition or document is combined with one or more other such docu¬
other means ments, such combination being obvious to a person skilled
'P' document published prior to the international filing date but in the art
later than the priority date claimed '&' document member of the same patent family

Date of the actual completion of the international search Date of mailing of the international search report

12 July 2007 19/07/2007

Name and mailing address of the ISA/ Authorized officer
European Patent Office, P B 5818 Patentlaan 2
NL - 2280 HV Rljswijk
TeI (+31-70) 340-2040, Tx 3 1 651 epo nl,
Fax (+31-70) 340-3016 GARRIDO GARCIA, M

Form PCT/ISA/210 (second sheet) (April 2005)

 Patent document Publication Patent family Publication
cited in search report date member(s) date

WO 2005052499 09-06-2005 BR PI0416409 A 09-01-2007

CA 2545358 Al 09-06-2005
CN 1886635 A 27-12-2006
EP 1687584 Al 09-08-2006
MX PA06005935 A 06-07-2006

US 6772105 Bl 03-08-2004 AU 777213 B2 07-10-2004

AU 5356000 A 15-03-2001
AU 2005200043 Al 03-02-2005
US 2005010385 Al 13-01-2005

US 2004225431 Al 11-11-2004 AU 785008 B2 24-08-2006

AU 6587901 A 20-11-2001
CA 2407950 Al 04-11-2002
UO 0186323 A2 15-11-2001

WO 9012330 18-10-1990 AU 5425490 A 05-11-1990

CA 2051656 Al 14-10-1990
EP 0466789 Al 22-01-1992
JP 4504755 T 20-08-1992

Form PCT/ISA/210 (patent family annex) (April 2005)