Overview
As a project during his time at the University of Derby Centre for Mineral Products, Robin Gillespie FIQ explored the economic and performance benefits of electronic delay detonators over non-electric systems in blasting operations, revealing substantial cost savings and efficiency improvements.
The safety and environmental benefits of electronic detonators are well documented; however, the economic argument for the use of this technology is unclear and as a result, usage (at the time of this project) in the UK was just over 50%. Usage has increased in subsequent years.
The claimed advantages of the EDD outweigh the Nonel based system in many aspects of performance. The fact that the EDD can be up to five times more expensive is mitigated by the improvement in blast performance. This can be achieved with or without alterations to the blast pattern.
Blast designs that utilise the precision, accuracy, and two-way communication of the EDD can be safer, have improved fragmentation, increased productivity, and reduced energy requirements. Furthermore, they can produce more stable faces and enable wider blast patterns to be employed, thus reducing cost.
Method
The trial area shown in figure 5, was selected as it had consistent geology and sufficient reserves for six representative blasting trials. The first trial benchmarked the current Nonel initiation system. Five more blasts were then carried out, one additional Nonel plus four EDD blasts. The last two EDD blasts had geometrical changes made to the pattern, with the final EDD also having the timing reduced.
Consistent measurements were recorded for each blast including:
- Face excavator fuel usage
- Percentage oversize
- Percentage undersize
- Primary crusher power consumption
- Primary crusher throughput
- Full blast design details
Results
It was concluded that the use of EDDs offered an improved blasting performance through optimisation of the blasting process. EDDs allowed for a wider blast pattern, which enabled a 9.6% saving in drilling and blasting costs. Additionally, the improved fragmentation achieved by using EDDs resulted in a 7.6% reduction in primary power costs, and a 14.1% reduction in face excavator fuel costs.
Transferring to EDD’s would generate a potential annual saving, estimated to be £54,800.
Robin Gillespie FIQ comments
“Lifelong learning is so important for our industry and formal academic qualifications can help you develop both personally and professionally. Without it I wouldn’t have unlocked the potential cost savings identified in my report. Those findings have already been introduced on site and recommended for implementation internationally with potential annual savings of £750,000.
After completing the course my whole outlook on life changed, probably due to the critical thinking skills I acquired. The course opened a whole new world in terms of mineral processing techniques as opposed to basic crushing and screening.
In my opinion anyone operating at mid/senior management level would benefit from the knowledge and skills provided by completing this course.As an Area Operations Manager you need this level of higher education to successfully comply with the job description.”
Celebrating 10 successful years of the Honours Degree in Mineral Products Management
Throughout April, discover the innovative projects driving change in the mineral products industry, led by recent graduates of the BSc (Hons) in Mineral Products Management:
- Methods to Eliminate Deleterious Materials Leaving Quarries by James Forrester TMIQ
- An investigation into the use of electronic delay detonators (EDD) vs non-electric detonators by Robin Gillespie FIQ
- A comparison of green concretes in the context of the Circular Economy by Danielle Dawson
- Increasing Productivity and Minimising Wastage by Ben Campbell TMIQ
These cutting-edge projects highlight the next generation of industry leaders, applying their skills to deliver practical, sustainable, and financially beneficial solutions.
For further details on any of the projects or the honours programme covered within this article please contact j.austin@derby.ac.uk
