The Polar Branch of Norilsk Nickel summed up the results of a pilot project for the digitalization of drilling and blasting operations. This is the first and one of the most responsible stages of mining production. How accurately the explosion is calculated determines how much ore can be extracted and how much waste rock will go into the dump. A mistake here makes all subsequent steps more expensive – from transportation to processing.
Previously, when planning, the actual strength of the rock in each specific area was not always taken into account. Explosives are a rough thing, and if you overdo it, you raise excess rock along with the ore. If you don’t deliver, you lose valuable metal. Now computer models solve this problem. They analyze the massif, suggest where to drill wells and how much explosive to use in order to separate the ore from the waste rock as cleanly as possible.
The results of the pilot project confirmed the effectiveness of the approach. Fewer empty inclusions began to appear in the mined mass. Drilling rigs operate more efficiently. The deviation of calculations from reality does not exceed 6%, and 95% of the design documentation complies with strict production standards. The process is more stable, which means the final product is cheaper.
Director of the Innovation Department of the Polar Branch Ramil Batraliev emphasizes that the key to success is reliable input data. If the initial information is inaccurate, the model will produce a defect. It took time and joint work with mine services for all participants to realize this. At first, when there are many urgent tasks, it’s easier to use familiar software. But when colleagues understood the additional functions of the new program and saw how it saves time, the tool gained trust.
Plans for 2026 – replicate successful experience to all mines of the Polar Branch. Digitalization of drilling and blasting operations ceases to be an experiment and becomes a production standard.
Source: @nornickel_official
Image: @nornickel_official
