Drill and Blast

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Product
GEOVIA Minex 6.5.0
Last modified: Tuesday, April 05, 2016
Drill and blast tutorial
Table of Contents
About this document 5
Overview 5
Requirements 5
Objectives 5
Workflow 6
Document conventions 7
Typographical conventions 7
Keyboard conventions 7
Menu conventions 7
Mouse conventions 7
Form elements 8
Setup for this tutorial 10
Tutorial data 10
Activity: Install the data set 10
Data set location 10
Activity: Back up the data set 10
Create a Minex project 10
Activity: Create a Minex project 10
Displaying the data set 13
Activity: Plot geometry data 13
Activity: Plot seam and topographical surfaces 15
Defining a blast layout 18
Activity: Setup a blast pattern 18
Creating a reference line 24
Activity: Create a reference line 24
Creating setout lines 25
Activity: Create setout lines 25
Editing a blast pattern and blast holes 30
Activity: Create a boundary polygon 30
Activity: Add, delete, and move individual holes 31
Activity: Angle holes 34
Generating pre-split holes 40
Activity: Generate pre-split holes 40
Designing a sump 43
Activity: Create a zone polygon and re-project sump holes 43
Reporting front row burden 46
Activity: Report burden 46
Activity: Display blast influence 47
Reporting 48
Activity: Generate a drillers report 48
Activity: Generate a GPS report 49
Fanning drill holes 50
Activity: Setup a blast pattern and digitise a reference line 50
Activity: Create a fanned pattern 53
Summary 56
About this document
About this document

Overview
This tutorial provides an overview of the Drill and Blast functions of GEOVIA Minex. You use drill and
blast tools to layout, edit, and report on a blast pattern, while interacting with open pit layouts and
having full access to other graphical functions.
This tutorial uses a data set that is copied to your computer when Minex is installed.
When the software has been installed, more detailed information is available in the Minex Help,
which you can open from the Help menu. You can also contact GEOVIA support for training.
Requirements
Before proceeding with this tutorial, you will need:
l a good understanding of basic Minex concepts

Note: This tutorial assumes that you have completed the Minex Core tutorial.
l Minex 6.5.0 or later installed
l the DrillAndBlast data set
l a licence for the OP Drill module
If you accept the default settings when you first install Minex, the data sets are installed. If you chose
not to install the data sets, refer to the Set up for this tutorial section of this document.
Objectives
After working through this tutorial, you will be able to:
l display data
l define a blast layout
l define a reference line
l define a setout line
l edit blast patterns/holes
l design pre-split holes
l design a sump
l report front row burden
l report drill hole information
l design a fanned pattern
GEOVIA Minex 6.5.0 Page 5 of 56 Drill and blast tutorial

Workflow
Workflow
The following workflow demonstrates the steps in this tutorial. There are other ways to achieve a
similar result.

Document conventions Typographical conventions
Document conventions
Typographical conventions
Some text in this guide has special formatting to help you identify it as part of a particular element of
information. The following table describes the different text formats and their meanings.
Text format Meaning
Text or data that varies with each input is shown in bold italic font and enclosed in angle brackets.
Some examples are installation directories, dates, names, and passwords. When you substitute the
<Bold Italic>
text for the variable, do not include the brackets. For example: <password> requires you to
substitute a password in place of <password>.
A word or phrase to which the author wants to give emphasis. For example: you must select an
Italic
item from the list to continue.
This font style indicates one of the following:
l A file name, path, or URL.

l Strongly emphasised text. For example, It is very important to save the data [].
Bold
l Text that a procedure has instructed you to type.
l A menu option, tab, button, check box, list, option button, text box, or icon.
For example: Save the file as pit1.str.
Keyboard conventions
Key combination Meaning
Press and hold the first key, then press the second key. For example: CTRL+Z means press
<key>+<key>
and hold the CTRL key, then press Z.
Menu conventions
When you click, or move the pointer over, some menu commands, a secondary, or subordinate,
menu appears. To indicate that you should select a command on a subordinate menu, this
documentation uses a greater than (>) sign to separate the main menu command from the
subordinate menu command. For example, File > Project > Project Manager means choose the File
menu, move the mouse pointer over the Project command, and then select Project Manager on the
subordinate menu.
Mouse conventions
Action Description
Click Press and release the left mouse button without moving the mouse.
Right-click Press and release the right mouse button without moving the mouse.
Double-click Rapidly click the left mouse button twice without moving the mouse.
With the mouse pointer over the object, press and hold the left mouse button to select the
Drag <an object> object. Move the pointer until the object is in the position you want, and then release the
mouse button.
Use your finger to make the wheel button roll. Move it forward, that is in a clockwise
Rotate
direction, or backward, that is in an anticlockwise direction.

Document conventions Form elements
Form elements
Forms can contain a variety of elements that enable users to carry out operations. Here is an
example form.
Forms can contain the following elements
Element Description Example
Title Title of the form.
Labelled group of options used for many similar kinds

Tab
of settings.
Rectangular box in which you can type text. If the box
Text box or
already contains text, you can select that text and edit
field
it.
Drop-down Closed version of a list box with an arrow next to it.
combo box Clicking the arrow opens the list.
Option Round button you can use to select one of a group of
button mutually exclusive options.
Text attached to any option, box, button, or to any

Label
other element of a window or dialog box.
Square box that you select or clear to turn an option on

Check box
or off.
Rectangular or square button that runs a command.

Button
Buttons have text labels to indicate their purpose.
A graphical button that you can click to run a com-

Icon
mand.
Any type of box containing a selectable list of items in

List box
table format.

Document conventions Form elements
Element
Description Example
A set of options or com-

Menu
mands that you can run.
A text box with up and

down arrows that you can
click to move through a
Spin box
set of fixed values. You
can also type a valid value
in the box.
A graphical representation
of a hierarchical structure.
A plus sign next to an
item on the tree indicates
Tree that you can expand the
item to show subordinate
items; a minus sign indic-
ates that you can collapse
the item.

Setup for this tutorial Activity: Install the data set
Setup for this tutorial

Tutorial data
When you install Minex and accept the default installation settings, the tutorial data is installed on
your machine. If you choose not to install the tutorial data sets when installing Minex, you can install
them separately.
Activity: Install the data set
To install the data set:
1. Double-click the MinexInstallation.msi file.

2. At the Welcome message, click Next.
3. Select Modify, and click Next.
Minex displays the Custom Setup options.
4. Click the icon next to the Tutorial Data Sets option and select Will be installed on local
hard drive.
5. Click Next, and follow the remaining installation messages.
Data set location

The data set is installed to the following location by default.
Operating system Location
l Windows 7 64-bit
C:\Users\Public\GEOVIA\GEOVIA
l Windows 8.1 64-bit
Minex\6x\shared\tutorialData\Datasets\DrillAndBlast\
l Windows 10 64-bit or 32-bit
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\GEOVIA\GEOVIA
l Windows 7 32-bit
Minex\6x\shared\tutorialData\Datasets\DrillAndBlast\
Note: If you changed the default settings when you installed Minex, the files may be in a different
location.
Activity: Back up the data set

It is a good idea to keep a backup copy of the data in case you want to restart the tutorial with a
fresh set of data later.
To back up the data set:
1. Start Windows Explorer.

2. Browse to the data set.
3. Right-click the DrillAndBlast folder, and choose Send To > Compressed (zipped) folder.
4. In Windows Explorer, make a new folder for backups, for example C:\minexBackups, and
copy the zip file to that folder.
Create a Minex project

To isolate your data so that specific settings can be used, you will create a Minex project and set the
working directory to the location of the tutorial data (DrillAndBlast).
Activity: Create a Minex project
1. Start Minex.
2. Select File > Project > Project Manager.
3. Click New.

Setup for this tutorial Activity: Create a Minex project
4. In the Project Name field, type DrillAndBlastTutorial.

5. Browse to the DrillAndBlast folder.
When creating a new project, you have the option of using the 'file collection' setting. You
choose a file collection setting when you want to have the data set organised into sub-
folders with meaningful names rather than a single folder. For this tutorial, you will not
perform this step.
6. Click Finish.
The project is set up and the Minex Explorer displays the DrillAndBlast folder and sub-
folders.

Setup for this tutorial Activity: Create a Minex project
Note: If you use Hub to manage your files, Hub status icons are displayed beside the
files in the Minex Explorer. For this tutorial, Hub status icons are not shown. For more
information on Hub, refer to the Help, or the Hub training guide available with the Minex
tutorials.
Tip: In the Minex Explorer you can select the top-level folder, which is DrillAndBlast
for this project, look at the Properties pane, and see the full path of the project. This
information is useful if you forget, or want to verify, where the data is.

Displaying the data set Activity: Plot geometry data
Displaying the data set

Before you design a blast layout, you need to display current topographical and structural
information around the area of concern.
Activity: Plot geometry data
Typically, when you plot geometry data, you only want to view some of the geometry data in the
geometry file. You can use the Geometry Display form to specify which data to show.
1. Make sure that the 3D Design tab is active.

2. In the Minex Explorer, right-click THEDON.GM3 and choose Open.
3. In the Minex Explorer, right-click Blast_Design.mpf and choose Open.
4. Select String > Geometry Display.
The Geometry Display form appears.
5. On the bottom of the form, right-click the Geometry Display tab, and choose Get Para-
meters > B1Area.
The Geometry Display form is populated.
6. Click Ok.
The geometry data is displayed in Graphics.

Displaying the data set Activity: Plot geometry data
The green line indicates the area for which you will design a blast.
7. Re-display the Geometry Display form.
8. Right-click the Geometry Display tab, and choose Get Parameter > area2.
9. On the Geometry Display form, click Ok.

The selected geometry data is displayed. The green mask polygon indicates the area
bounding the intended blast design.

Displaying the data set Activity: Plot seam and topographical surfaces
10. Close the Geometry Display form.
Activity: Plot seam and topographical surfaces

For this design you are going to project holes down to the MGB2 seam roof. In any area where this
seam does not exist, you will stop the holes at an elevation of 685.
1. On the Runtime tab of the Minex Explorer:

a. Expand the DD Names node.
b. Expand the MODEL node, and select MGB2SR.
c. Right-click, and select Display and Open.

The grid is displayed in Graphics.
2. Select Triangle > Display.

The Triangle Display form appears.
3. Fill in the form as shown.
You are using this form to display the topographic surface, AIRPHOTO3PT.tr5, in green.
4. Click Ok.
The triangle is displayed in Graphics.

5. On the Runtime tab of the Minex Explorer:

a. Expand the Object Control Panel.
b. Right-click AIRPHOTO3PT.
c. Choose Remove from Graphics.
6. When prompted, click Yes to confirm the removal.
AIRPHOTO3PT.tr5 is removed from Graphics.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 to remove the seam roof, MODEL\MGB2SR, from Graphics.

Defining a blast layout Activity: Setup a blast pattern
Defining a blast layout

There are a number of steps to create a new blast layout. The first step is to name or recall the blast
area and then you can define the pattern and hole parameters to be used.
Activity: Setup a blast pattern
1. Select Blast > Setup Blast Pattern.
The Blast Pattern Setup form appears. You can use the Pattern Parameters tab of the
Blast Pattern Setup form to select blast patterns and specify pattern and hole para-
meters.
2. In the Select Blast Pattern section:

a. In the Area field, type TRAIN.
b. In the Zone field, type B1.
Note: The Area and Zone for the Blast Layout data type are equivalent to
the Group and Map names for the Structure data type in the geometry file.
3. In the Pattern Parameters section:
a. From the Type list, choose Staggered.
The type of blast pattern determines how the blast holes are arranged.

b. In the Offset field, type 4.

The Offset distance is typically half of the Spacing.
c. In the Burden field, type 8.
The Burden is the distance between rows.
d. In the Spacing field, type 8.
The Spacing is the distance between the blast holes.
e. In the Stand-Off field, type 0.3.
A positive Stand-Off value represents a stand-off; a negative Stand-Off value
represents a sub-drill.
4. In the Hole Parameters section:
a. Select the Vertical Holes check box.
When this check box is selected, the blast holes are vertical, and have no Dip
Angle.
b. Make sure that the Normal check box is cleared.
You select the Normal check box if you want to project the blast holes at an
angle 90 to the left or right of the setout line. Typically, in association with the
Normal option, you use the Dip Angle to specify an angle from the hori-
zontal. For this tutorial, you will not use a Dip Angle.
c. Make sure that the Hole Color is red .
This color is used when displaying blast holes.
d. To specify the diameter of the blast holes, in the Diameter field, type 0.3.
e. In the Type field, type Soft.
The Type is used to tag the blast holes as user-defined, and can be edited after
holes are created. You can use the tag to report and export holes of a specific
Type.

5. Click the Surfaces tab.
You must set up the blast pattern layout so that the bounding upper and lower surfaces,
depths or elevations are defined, for both the blast hole collars and toes. You use the Sur-
faces tab to define these surfaces. Several options are available to define their surfaces:
lconstant elevation
ltriangulated surface
l gridded surface
l depth below the collar (available for the toe only)
6. In the Collar Surface section, select the Triangle option, and choose the triangle file,
AIRPHOTO3PT.TR5.
7. On the Primary Toe Surface sub-tab:
a. Select the Grid option.
b. From the DD Name list, select MODEL.
c. Select the MGB2SR grid.
8. On the Secondary Toe Surface sub-tab:
a. Select the Use Secondary toe surface check box.
A Secondary Toe surface is used as the toe surface in all the areas which the
Primary Toe Surface does not exist or is not intersected during hole pro-
jection.
b. From the DD Name list, select BLAST.
c. Select the RL685 grid.

9. In the Design Surface section, make sure the Collar option is selected.
When you first lay out blast holes, they exist only on one surface - the collar or toe sur-
face, as selected in the Design Surface section. You then need to project the blast holes
onto the other surface. For this exercise, you will design holes on the collar surface and
then project them down to the toe surface to create the blast hole toe position.
Note: It is also possible to create a toe surface from production drill metres rather than
using the geological model. This method creates a more accurate surface due to the
increased number of holes used for seam interpretation.
10. Click the Plotting Parameters tab.
You use the Plotting Parameters tab to control the appearance of the blast pattern.
11. In the Display Parameters section:

a. Select the Collar Size check box, and enter a size of 0.2.
This value is the size of the symbol used to represent blast hole collars.
b. Select the Toe Size check box, and enter a size of 0.2.
This value is the size of the symbols used to represent blast hole toes.
Note: The symbols used during display can be changed on the Pattern Para-
meters tab. 2DSYMB40 is the most commonly used symbol to represent blast
holes. If you want the blast hole to be represented by a circle, choose
2DSYMB07.
c. Make sure the Blastholes Only check box is cleared.
If you select this check box, setout lines are not plotted.

d. To plot a representation of the blast holes from collar to toe, select the Trace
check box.
Note: Because your blast holes are vertical, you will only be able to see this
trace if you "dip" the display.
12. In the Annotation section:
a. Make sure the Hole check box cleared.
When this option is selected, the blast hole number is displayed, and you can
specify the Size and Color of the text. In addition, if you only want to annot-
ate a few blast holes, like every third hole, you can enter a value in the Annot-
ate every n(th) hole field.
b. To display the drill depth of the holes, select the Depth check box.
You can also specify the Size, Color, and the number of Decimals displayed in
the depth annotation.
c. Change the Color to green.
d. Make sure the Annotate at Centre check box is cleared.
When this option is selected, the depth is displayed in the center of the blast
hole symbol.
e. Make sure the Setout (Line) check box is cleared.
When this option is selected, the row name for each setout row is displayed.
You can specify the Size and Color of the text. In addition, if you only want to
annotate a few setout rows, like every 3rd row, you can enter a value in the
Annotate every n(th) row field.
f. Make sure the Annotation Angle check box is cleared.
This option allows you to specify the angle at which the annotation is dis-
played. The default value of 0.0 is horizontal.
13. In the Blast Influence section, make sure the Display Blast Influence check box is
cleared.
When this option is selected, a radius of influence around the blast hole is displayed. This
is a typical representation of the zone of fracture around the blast hole. If this option is
selected, you can also specify the distance from the center of the blast hole in the Radius
field, and you can choose a Circle or Cylinder to represent the zone of fracture. The Cylin-
der option is useful for examining front row burdens.
14. Click Ok.
A blast pattern node is visible in the Blast Explorer tab.

You can now create a reference line, setout lines, and then generate holes.

Creating a reference line Activity: Create a reference line
Creating a reference line

The reference line serves two main purposes:
l It functions as a starting point for numbering holes.

l It is the hinge point for the copying and rotating of blast patterns.
Typically, you digitise the reference line in the direction of the face, perpendicular to the orientation
of the blast lines. The reference line must intersect blast lines and should be normal to the direction
of the strip.
In its simplest form, a reference line is a straight two-point line, however it can have several
inflections or even be a curved line.
Activity: Create a reference line
1. Select Blast > Reference Line.
Minex switches to digitise mode.
2. Digitise a line in similar location to the black line in the following image.
3. When you have finished digitising, right-click in Graphics, and select Accept.

Creating setout lines Activity: Create setout lines
Creating setout lines

Setout lines are used for the creation of blast hole rows. Setout lines can be created either normal to,
or at an angle to, the reference line and must cross the reference line
In the case of a staggered pattern, if you want to maintain an equidistant offset, setout lines must be
generated normal to the reference line.
Row names are made up of alphanumeric characters in upper or lower case.
Three options are available when creating either a single or multiple setout lines.
l Digitise: Enables you to digitise and name each setout line individually.
l Normal to Reference Line: Allows you to first digitise any two-point line. This option
keeps the first digitised point and then automatically projects a line from the point at
an angle normal to the reference line and the same length and direction as the original
two-point line. Essentially, it will correct the digitised line so that it is normal (at 90
degrees) to the reference line.
l Offset R/Offset L: Creates the next setout line left or right relative to the direction the
line selected to offset from has been digitised.
Activity: Create setout lines

1. Select Blast > Setout Line.
The Setout Line form appears.
2. Select the Normal to Reference Line option.

Selecting the Normal to Reference Line option ensures that the first row is created per-
pendicular to the reference line.
3. In the Line Name field, type 1.
4. Click Ok.

5. Digitise a line from left to right, approximately parallel to the bench face.
A Question dialog appears.
6. Click Yes, so you can offset and create new rows from this newly created setout line.
A second Setout Line form appears.
7. Select the Right option.

The direction of offset Right is relative to the direction in which the first row was digitised.

8. Select the Generate to last RefLine Intersection check box.

When this check box is selected, Minex generates setout lines all the way to the end of
the reference line.
9. Leave the default Setout Line Parameters in place.
You will alter the Start Burden and End Burden values to create fanned setout lines later
in this tutorial.
10. Click Ok.
Minex generates the setout lines, similar to the following image.
11. On the Blast Pattern Setup form, click the Blast Explorer tab.
The newly created setout rows are all updated in the explorer.

12. Right-click Blast Pattern: TRAIN/B1, and select Generate Holes.

13. Click No.

Minex generates the blast holes.
Note: The holes have all been created on the collar surface; the toe position of each
hole has not yet been computed.

14. To compute the toe position of each hole, in the Blast Explorer, right-click Blast pattern:
TRAIN/B1, and select Reproject.
The Re-project Holes form appears.
15. Click Ok.

16. Zoom in on some of the blast holes and check that the hole depth is now shown.
17. To save your geometry file, choose File > Save > Save Geometry File.

Editing a blast pattern and blast holes Activity: Create a boundary polygon
Editing a blast pattern and blast holes

As there are holes that have extended outside your desired blast zone polygon, you can now delete
the holes that are not required. First you define a boundary polygon, and then you clip the holes to
leave only those holes with a collar that is inside the boundary polygon
Activity: Create a boundary polygon
1. Select Blast > Boundary Polygon.
Minex switches to digitise mode so that you can digitise a boundary polygon. There is a
polygon in the geometry file that represents the area you need to blast within, so you can
use that polygon as the boundary polygon.
2. Right-click in Graphics and choose Whole Line.
3. Click one side of the green polygon.
All points on the polygon have a temporary marker displayed.
4. Right-click and choose Accept.
You have created a blast boundary polygon.

5. In the Blast Pattern Setup form, click the Blast Explorer tab.

Editing a blast pattern and blast holes Activity: Add, delete, and move individual holes
6. Right-click Boundary Polygon, and choose Clip Holes.
All holes outside of the selected polygon are deleted.
Activity: Add, delete, and move individual holes

Even after clipping holes outside the mask area, you will see that there are some holes too close to
the pit walls and bench face. As these holes need adjusting on a hole by hole basis and according to
individual site practice, it is best to manually edit these holes.

1. Zoom in on any holes that are too close, or over the edge of the bench crest.
Note: Depending on where you chose to put your reference and set out lines, you may
have a different configuration of holes.
2. To delete holes:
a. Hold down the Ctrl key, and click on each of the holes to select them.
b. Press the Delete key.
If you inspect the remaining front holes, you can see that there are still some that are
very close to the bench crest. Rather than deleting these holes, it is better to move them
to a more practical drilling position. You can move holes by selecting a hole, and then
right-clicking, and choosing Manipulate > Move > Drag.
3. Inspect your design and drag any holes that need to be moved, ensuring that you have
the XY + Z digitise mode selected.
4. Repeat the process for any holes that are too close to the pit wall.
5. Save the geometry file.
Tip: To add a single hole, on the Blast Explorer tab, then right-click a Row, and select
Add Hole. You will then be prompted to digitize the position of the new hole.
The following image shows the addition of a new hole near the bench crest. A hole depth
of 0.00 is indicated, as the hole has not been re-projected to create the correct toe pos-
ition.

Now that the collar position of some holes has been changed and extra holes have been
added, you need to re-project the holes to ensure the hole collar and toe positions to
match the blast surfaces.
6. On the Blast Explorer tab, right-click Blast Pattern: TRAIN/B1, and select Reproject.
Note: Because you have only modified and added holes for Row 1, you can select Row
1, right-click and select Reproject, which would re-project the holes on just that Row, not
the whole pattern.

Editing a blast pattern and blast holes Activity: Angle holes

7. Click Ok.
The blast holes are re-projected.
Activity: Angle holes

Due to the angle of the bench face, it would be advantageous to angle the front row of holes.
2. Right-click Row 1 and choose the Reproject.

3. Clear the Vertical Holes check box, and select the Normal check box.
When you select Normal, Minex projects the holes normal to the setout line.
4. In the Dip Angle field, type -75.
5. Click Ok.
The angled holes across Row 1 at the top of the screen can be seen from the hole trace
that is drawn from the collar to the toe.
6. To graphically angle holes by dragging the toe position:

a. Click the hole toe, right-click and select Go Point Mode, and then click Manip-
ulate > Move > Drag XY.

b. Make sure that the Digitise mode is XY + Z.

c. Drag the toe to a new position.
Note: To adjust the elevation position to match the toe blast surface, you
will need to re-project the hole after moving the toe.

7. On the Blast Pattern Setup form, click the Plotting Parameters tab.
8. In the Annotation section, select the Hole check box.

9. Click Ok.
Hole numbers are displayed next to the collar of each hole.
10. Identify the number of the hole for which you moved the toe.

11. On the Blast Explorer, expand the Row 1 node, then right- click the hole (for example,
Hole 29/1) and select Reproject.
12. Clear the Vertical Holes check box, and enter the Azimuth as shown on the Blast
Explorer for the hole.
For example, in the following image, for Hole 29/1, the azimuth is 53.283127.
13. On the Re-project Holes form, click Ok.

Tip: To angle a group of holes, press Shift and, in the Blast Explorer, select a range of
holes (or pressing Ctrl and selecting individual holes), and then right-click and choose
Reproject.

14. Save the changes to the geometry file.

Generating pre-split holes Activity: Generate pre-split holes
Generating pre-split holes

Pre-split holes are used for various reasons, including creating a fracture surface to protect and
reflect blast energy away from the final pit walls. Typically, pre-split holes are drilled along or offset
from a pit design string. For the purpose of this tutorial you will use the structure string with the Map
name of presplt.
Activity: Generate pre-split holes
1. Select String > Geometry Display.
2. Right-click the Geometry Display tab, and choose Get Parameter > presplit.
The form is populated.
3. Click Ok.
The geometry data is displayed in Graphics.
Tip: You may need to zoom to the area.
The string represents a pit wall position at the design elevation of 690, but you need to
know the pit wall position at the current mining surface. For this exercise, assume a pit
wall angle of 70 degrees.
4. In Graphics, select the string, right-click and choose Go String mode, and then choose
Manipulate > Move > Project and Offset.
The String Project form appears.

6. Click Ok.
7. Right-click the new string, and choose Manipulate > Alter > Interpolate.
8. In the Interpolation interval field, type 4.
9. Click OK.
New points are created at the interval you specified.
10. Select Blast > Generate Row From Points.


11. In the Row Name field type PS.

This name makes the row easy to identify as the pre-split row.
12. Click OK.
Minex switches to digitise mode so that you can digitise the points that will make up each
hole on the row.
13. Right-click in Graphics, and select Whole Line.
14. From the Digitise list, select Snap to Line.
15. Select the newly project string, right-click and choose Accept.
Minex generates holes at each point on the string.
16. In the Blast Explorer, right-click Row PS, and choose Reproject.
17. Clear the Vertical Holes check box, and select the Normal check box.
18. Check that the Left option is select, and enter a Dip Angle of -70.
19. Click Ok.
The holes are re-projected.
20. To display all of the blast data, fill in the Geometry Display form as shown.
You can see that some of the production holes fall 'behind' the pre-split holes, or are over-
lapping the pre-split area.
There are a number of ways you can correct this problem, but for the purpose of this exer-
cise, delete any holes that fall behind the pre-split line and 'drag' any holes that intersect
the pre-split surface back into the blast area.
Note: You will need to re-project the holes that you have 'dragged' back into the blast,
and their explosive charge will need to be adjusted at charge up time, due to the reduc-
tion in burden/spacing of the holes.
After editing the holes you should end up with a blast hole design that looks similar to the

Generating pre-split holes Activity: Create a zone polygon and re-project sump holes
following image.
Designing a sump
A sump can be designed by projecting an area of holes further down than the surrounding holes, so
that a sump can be excavated past the bench floor.
Activity: Create a zone polygon and re-project sump holes
1. Select Blast > Zone Polygon.
2. In the Zone Polygon Name field, type sump.

3. Click OK.
4. Make sure that the Digitise mode is XY + Z.
5. Digitise an area where you want to place the sump.
For this exercise, digitise around any five holes in the blast pattern.

6. Make a note of the hole depths in the area you have selected as a sump and add a depth
of 3 to the deepest hole.
In this example a depth of 17 metres has been selected, as this makes the digging easier
in the area to place a sump.
The Blast Pattern Setup form appears.
8. Click the Surfaces tab, and change the Primary Toe Surface selection to Depth and enter
your depth.
For the previous example, a depth of 17 is used.

9. On the Blast Explorer tab, right-click Zone Polygon sump, and select Reproject.

10. Click Ok.
The holes in the sump area are re-projected to the required depth. For the previous
example, the depth is 17, minus a 0.3 standoff, resulting in a depth of each sump hole of
16.7.

Generating pre-split holes Activity: Report burden
Reporting front row burden

A report can be generated that flags holes within a nominated minimum burden to the open face.
This is to help you identify which holes (and the depth of those holes) that are too close to the open
face, and may cause blow outs and present a dangerous blasting scenario. The image below shows
an example of burden check positions.
Activity: Report burden

1. In the Blast Pattern Setup form, click the Blast Explorer tab.
2. In the Blast Explorer, right-click Row 1, and select Report Burden.
The Setup Burden Report form appears.
3. Select the Triangle option, and in the Triangle field, select AIRPHOTO3PT.tr5.
4. Make sure the Only report holes with a front burden distance of less than check box is
selected, and set the value to 4.
5. In the Downhole distance increment field, enter a value of 2.
This value tells Minex the intervals at which it should search for the open face surface.
6. Enter a Check every (n) degrees value of 5.
This value specifies the number of degrees at which Minex should search.

Generating pre-split holes Activity: Display blast influence
7. Click Ok.
A report is generated in the Output Window. Any hole that has a burden less than the
minimum specified (4) is flagged **. In the following image, Hole 4 on Row 1, at a depth of
0.00, is at a distance of 1.69 from the front face of AIRPHOTO3PT.tr5, so has been flagged.
Activity: Display blast influence

You can use the Display Blast Influence feature to flag potential overpressure issues that would
result from the face blowing out.
1. On the Blast Pattern Setup form, click the Plotting Parameters tab.
2. In the Blast Influence section, select the Display Blast Influence check box.
3. Enter a Radius that is approximately half your burden.
4. Select the Cylinder option, and change the color to red .
5. Click Ok.
6. To display the topographic surface (AIRPHOT3PT.tr5) in Graphics, use the Triangle > Dis-
play command.

Generating pre-split holes Activity: Generate a drillers report
Tip: If there are no holes with too little burden, try increasing the blast influence
radius to 8, to see how it is displayed. The following image shows the blast influence
radius for holes with too little burden.
Reporting
Activity: Generate a drillers report
You use this generic report to find the area, map, and class of the holes, and the blast holes
numbers. You can edit the file and use it to create custom reports for the drillers and charge crew.
1. Select Blast > Drillers Report.

The report is generated in the Output Window.

Generating pre-split holes Activity: Generate a GPS report
Activity: Generate a GPS report

You create this report for surveyors, in a file that can be easily uploaded into their GPS guided
equipment.
1. Select Blast > GPS Report.

The GPS Report form appears.
3. Click Ok.
The GPS report is generated in Sokia (SDR_OUT) Format.
Tip: If you have Aquila guided GPS equipment, select Aquila (AQM) format from the
Output Type list.

Generating pre-split holes Activity: Setup a blast pattern and digitise a reference line
Fanning drill holes

A drill and blast engineer knows the approximate spacing they want for a particular shot. However,
this spacing can yield a disproportionate amount of holes in areas. You can use fanning to maximise
efficiency. A situation that requires fanning is shown in the following image.
In this particular example, the drill and blast engineer knows that historically a pattern of 6.5m x 8.0m
has worked well. As only a finite number of rows can be placed between the first and last rows, it is
necessary to determine rows of best fit between the two through fanning. The number of rows is
calculated as:
In this example, use the closest whole number, which is 11 rows.

The spacing used at X and Z is very different and needs to be calculated:
Tip: Use the Query tool to determine distances and calculate these figures for your design.
Activity: Setup a blast pattern and digitise a reference line

Note: The blast pattern and reference line are created in the same way as those created earlier in
the tutorial.
1. Restart Minex.
2. Make sure the 3D Design tab is active.
3. In the Minex Explorer, right-click THEDON.GM3 and choose Open.
4. In the Minex Explorer, right-click Blast_Design.mpf and choose Open.
5. On the String toolbar, click Display Geometry.
6. On the bottom of the form, right-click the Geometry Display tab, and choose Get Para-
meters > area2.

7. Click Ok.
The Blast Pattern Setup form appears.
9. On the bottom of the form, right-click the Blast Pattern Setup tab, and choose Get Para-
meters > TRAIN2_B2.
The form is populated.
Note: The parameters are the same as those used for the initial blast pattern in this
tutorial, with the exception of the Area and Zone names (TRAIN2 and B2).
10. Click Ok.
Tip: If a Triangle not found error message appears, on the Surfaces tab of the Blast
Pattern Setup form, in the Collar Surface section, use to ellipsis button to locate the
AIRPHOTO3PT.tr5 file, and then click Ok again.
A blast pattern node is visible in the Blast Explorer tab.

You can now create a reference line.

11. Select Blast > Reference Line.
12. Digitise a line in similar location to the black line in the following image.
13. When you have finished digitizing, right-click and select Accept.

Generating pre-split holes Activity: Create a fanned pattern
Activity: Create a fanned pattern

1. Select Blast > Setout Line.
The Setout Line form appears.
2. Select the Normal to Reference Line check box.

Selecting the Normal to Reference Line check box ensures that the first row is created
perpendicular to the reference line.
3. In the Line Name field, type 1.
4. Click Ok.
Minex switches to digitise mode so you can digitise a setout line.
5. Digitise a line from left to right, approximately parallel to the bench face as shown by the
dotted black line in the following image.

6. To offset and create new rows from this newly created setout line, click Yes.
A second Setout Line form appears.
Note: The direction of offset (Right) is relative to the direction in which the first row was
digitised.
8. Click Ok.
The rows are displayed in Graphics. The rows are fanned, with burden increasing to the
right as shown in the following image.
The newly created setout rows have all been updated in the explorer.
10. Select the Blast Pattern: TRAIN2/B2, right-click, and choose Generate Holes.
11. Click No.

The blast holes are generated.

12. To compute the toe position of each hole, in the Blast Explorer, right-click Blast pattern:
TRAIN2/B2, and select Reproject.
13. Click Ok.

The holes are re-projected.
14. To save your geometry file, choose File > Save > Save Geometry File.

Summary Activity: Create a fanned pattern
Summary
Congratulations on completing this tutorial. You should now have a greater understanding of the
Minex drill and blast functions. You have learnt a number of concepts and topics including how to:
l display data
l define a blast layout
l define a reference line
l define a setout line
l edit blast patterns/holes
l design pre-split holes
l design a sump
l report front row burden
l report drill hole information
l design a fanned pattern

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About this document

l a good understanding of basic Minex concepts

GEOVIA Minex 6.5.0 Page 5 of 56 Drill and blast tutorial

GEOVIA Minex 6.5.0 Page 6 of 56 Drill and blast tutorial

l A file name, path, or URL.

For example: Save the file as pit1.str.

GEOVIA Minex 6.5.0 Page 7 of 56 Drill and blast tutorial

Forms can contain the following elements

Element Description Example

Title Title of the form.

Labelled group of options used for many similar kinds

Text attached to any option, box, button, or to any

Square box that you select or clear to turn an option on

Rectangular or square button that runs a command.

A graphical button that you can click to run a com-

Any type of box containing a selectable list of items in

GEOVIA Minex 6.5.0 Page 8 of 56 Drill and blast tutorial

A set of options or com-

A text box with up and

GEOVIA Minex 6.5.0 Page 9 of 56 Drill and blast tutorial

Setup for this tutorial

1. Double-click the MinexInstallation.msi file.

Data set location

Activity: Back up the data set

1. Start Windows Explorer.

Create a Minex project

GEOVIA Minex 6.5.0 Page 10 of 56 Drill and blast tutorial

4. In the Project Name field, type DrillAndBlastTutorial.

GEOVIA Minex 6.5.0 Page 11 of 56 Drill and blast tutorial

GEOVIA Minex 6.5.0 Page 12 of 56 Drill and blast tutorial

Displaying the data set

1. Make sure that the 3D Design tab is active.

The Geometry Display form is populated.

GEOVIA Minex 6.5.0 Page 13 of 56 Drill and blast tutorial

9. On the Geometry Display form, click Ok.

GEOVIA Minex 6.5.0 Page 14 of 56 Drill and blast tutorial

10. Close the Geometry Display form.

Activity: Plot seam and topographical surfaces

1. On the Runtime tab of the Minex Explorer:

GEOVIA Minex 6.5.0 Page 15 of 56 Drill and blast tutorial

The grid is displayed in Graphics.

2. Select Triangle > Display.

GEOVIA Minex 6.5.0 Page 16 of 56 Drill and blast tutorial

5. On the Runtime tab of the Minex Explorer:

GEOVIA Minex 6.5.0 Page 17 of 56 Drill and blast tutorial

Defining a blast layout

2. In the Select Blast Pattern section:

GEOVIA Minex 6.5.0 Page 18 of 56 Drill and blast tutorial

b. In the Offset field, type 4.

GEOVIA Minex 6.5.0 Page 19 of 56 Drill and blast tutorial

5. Click the Surfaces tab.

l depth below the collar (available for the toe only)

GEOVIA Minex 6.5.0 Page 20 of 56 Drill and blast tutorial

11. In the Display Parameters section:

GEOVIA Minex 6.5.0 Page 21 of 56 Drill and blast tutorial

GEOVIA Minex 6.5.0 Page 22 of 56 Drill and blast tutorial

GEOVIA Minex 6.5.0 Page 23 of 56 Drill and blast tutorial

Creating a reference line

l It functions as a starting point for numbering holes.