Optimising the Comminution Process Through Enhanced Drill and Blast Fragmentation

My name is Diego Gonzalez and I am a Senior Mining Engineer with robust experience in Drill & Blast gained over 14 years working in Open Cut Metal Mines around the globe.

Did you know that one of the most expensive processes in Mining Industry is the Energy Consumption to reduce the size of the rock to a desirable shippable magnitude?Energy consumption in rock size reduction is one of the most significant cost drivers in the mining industry. Whether for ore processing or transportation to stockpiles and shipping, inefficient fragmentation can lead to excessive energy usage and operational inefficiencies. Additionally, certain commodities are subject to penalties based on particle size at delivery, directly impacting profitability.

The drill and blast process plays a crucial role in determining fragmentation quality, influencing downstream operations from loading and hauling to crushing and milling. Poor fragmentation can lead to suboptimal truck loading efficiency, reducing the tonnes moved per cycle and increasing transportation costs. Similarly, an optimized particle size distribution at the crushing and milling stages enhances throughput, enabling greater material processing and higher final product yield, or achieving the same output in less time.

Achieving Optimal Fragmentation with LARM

The key to maximizing efficiency lies in achieving an optimal particle size distribution suited to your crushers and mills. This requires a structured approach:

 1. Determining the Optimal Particle Size Distribution
Assess the design parameters of your crushing and milling equipment to define the ideal fragmentation.

2. Measuring and Quantifying Current Fragmentation

Conduct post-blast fragmentation analysis to identify gaps between current and optimal conditions.

3. Implementing Data-Driven Improvements
Based on the findings, develop a strategy to refine blast design and execution, reducing costs and enhancing processing efficiency.

LARM specialises in conducting Site Scope Studies, which include mine site visits and data analysis to assess fragmentation performance. We provide comprehensive reports outlining areas for improvement, as well as hands-on support in implementing tailored solutions.

Please, contact us to learn more about how we can help you.

Stay tuned for our upcoming insights, where LARM will share a range of technical solutions designed to optimize drill and blast performance, ultimately driving greater profitability and sustainability in mining operations.