What is the purpose of a blast movement monitoring system?

The purpose of a blast movement monitoring (BMM) system is to accurately measure the post-blast displacement of ore and waste materials, allowing for improved ore control, reduced ore loss and dilution, and optimized mine planning. Blasting operations cause significant movement and mixing of ore and waste materials, making it difficult to accurately delineate ore boundaries after the blast. A BMM system uses sensors, typically magnetic or GPS-based, that are placed within the blast pattern prior to the blast. These sensors move with the rock during the blast and their post-blast locations are then surveyed. By analyzing the displacement vectors of the sensors, the system can generate a 3D model of the post-blast muckpile, showing the movement and mixing of the ore and waste materials. This information is then used to update the ore block model, allowing for more accurate ore control during excavation. Improved ore control reduces ore loss (ore that is sent to the waste dump) and dilution (waste that is sent to the mill). Reducing ore loss and dilution increases the overall profitability of the mining operation. The data from the BMM system can also be used to optimize future blast designs. By analyzing the blast movement patterns, blasters can adjust blast parameters, such as explosive loading and timing, to improve fragmentation and control the direction of throw. Blast movement monitoring systems are particularly valuable in complex orebodies with irregular ore boundaries or in situations where blasting causes significant mixing of ore and waste materials.