AVM accurately predicts blast vibration, minimizing risk to nearby critical structures.
Orica, commercial explosives and blasting systems supplier, recently released its Advanced Vibration Management (AVM) software that links blast design, modelling and measurement to conserve sensitive structures. In an effort to create more safe, predictable and productive blast outcomes, the company added AVM to its integrated BlastIQ digital blast optimization software suite.
AVM accurately predicts blast vibration, enabling maximum productivity while minimizing risk to nearby critical structures. When used in conjunction with the BlastIQ, AVM allows miners to seamlessly link blast designs, drilled actuals and vibration measurements, and uses sophisticated modelling to accurately predict blasting outcomes. Building on the simpler tools historically housed within Orica’s SHOTPlus Premier design software, AVM offers a step change in vibration and airblast management by using cloud computing architecture to deliver reliable and timely data across multiple measurement points throughout the operation.
When used in conjunction with the BlastIQ, AVM allows miners to accurately predict blasting outcomes.
“Vibration management is critical to many sites’ ongoing license to operate and can instantly stop the operation if not effectively controlled,” said Raj Mathiravedu, vice president, digital solutions, Orica. “The release of AVM is driven by these needs and is the latest tool resulting from our continued investment in developing intelligent and autonomous modelling systems that enable our customers to make informed productivity improvement decisions.”
Vibration and airblast are common outcomes from blasting and can be dangerous and disruptive if not managed effectively. In fact, a mine’s social license to operate often hinges on well-managed vibration limits. The most common route to resolving these issues is to blast at significantly reduced energies, which often comes at a cost to load and haul productivity, and often negatively impacts production and throughput downstream.
Vibration management using accurate modelling, measurement, and site seed-wave analysis is known to improve productivity but is often expensive, time consuming and performed on a discrete basis. AVM’s online application provides a simple yet insightful interface to capture and see the predicted and actual results of vibration monitoring, with the power of cloud architecture to drive the modelling from blast design through to execution.
When structures sensitive to vibration and airblast are located close to an operation, uncontrolled blasting operations can cause significant damage. With the use of an advanced prediction algorithm, miners can now access areas of their operations that may have previously been inaccessible or deemed too high risk to blast in. This can allow operations to blast in high-risk areas, potentially, extending the overall life of an operation.
