blast simulation evaluation and management

JKBMS Blast Management System

User Manual

JKSimBlast is a suite of powerful modular tools for the simulation and management of blasting data. 2DBench and StockView are stand-alone modules of JKSimBlast: 2DBench is used for the design of blasts in bench mining applications; and StockView is for the storage of the specifications of explosives and accessories. As the program developers do not control data creation, collection, analysis or interpretation, it is the sole responsibility of the user to verify that input data are accurate and appropriate, and that all conditions and outputs are reasonable and comply with any statutory requirements. In no event will JKTech be liable for direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use of or inability to use the software or documentation.

Copyright 1998 JKTech All rights reserved. Both the software and documentation of JKSimBlast, 2DBench and StockView are copyright.

JKTech Isles Road Indooroopilly Queensland Australia 4068

Telephone: (+61 7) 3365 5842 Facsimile: (+61 7) 3365 5900 Email: JKTech@jktech.com.au JKSimBlast@jktech.com.au Internet: http://www.jktech.com.au/ http://www.jktech.com.au/jktech/software/JKSimBlast/

T able of Contents
CHAPTER 1 BMS - Blast Management System
FOREWORD 1.1 INTRODUCTION 1.1.1 Database structure 1.1.2 BMS Screen Layout 1.2 GENERAL FUNCTIONS 1.2.1 Opening existing databases 1.2.2 Saving databases 1.2.3 Creating new databases 1.2.4 Adding a new root object 1.3 TREE OPTIONS 1.3.1 Open all branches 1.3.2 Close all branches 1.3.3 Prune this branch 1.3.4 Rebuild tree 1.4 EDITING FUNCTIONS 1.4.1 Rename object 1.4.2 Cut object 1.4.3 Copy object 1.4.4 Paste object 1.4.5 Delete object 1.4.6 Find / Quick Query 1.5 BMS TOOLS 1.5.1 Edit object types
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1.5.2 Editing object rules 1.5.3 Generate Report 1.5.4 Files utilities 1.5.5 Options

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CHAPTER 2 BMS - Database Objects

2.1 INTRODUCTION 2.2 DESCRIPTION OF MINE OBJECTS AND PROPERTIES 2.2.1 Site 2.2.2 Open pit 2.2.3 Domain 2.2.4 Rock types 2.2.5 Joint sets collection 2.2.6 Bench 2.2.7 Blasts collection 2.2.8 Blast Design 2.2.9 Photograph collection & photograph object 2.2.10 Video Collection & Video object 2.2.11 Fragmentation object 2.2.12 Generic file object 2.2.13 Cost object 2.2.14 Contact object

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CHAPTER 3 Building a BMS Database

3.1 INTRODUCTION 3.2 TUTORIAL

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Chapter

Foreword
The Blast Management System (BMS) is an information management system which allows the blasting/mining engineer to hierarchically store, organise and access information related to drill and blast designs and associated outcomes. Some of the information that is referred to in this particular context includes pit and blast geometry, geotechnical and blasting domains, drilling parameters, costs, fragmentation information, muck-pile information, vibration information, specific reports, comments, etc. BMS uses an object based approach for the storage and management of information. The information is directly stored in Microsoft Access databases. This software both complements and extends the use of JKMRC blast design and analysis modules, including 2DBench, 2DBench(+), 2DRing and 2DFace. BMS is based on a hierarchical (ie. parent-child) set of relationships. Each type of data (ie. Pit, Bench) is given a unique identification. Other items or objects can be added as children. This version of the manual describes the development of an open pit drill and blast management database, highlighting its connectivity with the JKMRC Modules 2DBench and 2DBench (+). The manual has been divided into three chapters. Chapter 1 gives an introduction to BMS and describes the general functionality of the program. Chapter 2 describes the objects available to build a database and Chapter 3 gives a brief tutorial of how the user can begin to build a BMS database.

1.1 Introduction
The information generated by a mining operation and in particular by the drilling and blasting process can be organised in a hierarchical nature and thus it

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lends itself to being represented visually by a tree structure such as that shown in Figure 1.1.

Root Object Parent of Domain Objects

Children

Figure 1.1 Definition of hierarchical parent -child relationship

The user is able to create a series of parent-child relationships to build a specific database. For example, a pit can be divided into a series of geological, geotechnical or blasting domains with specific geotechnical information. To these domains, blast designs and specific results can be added. The information stored allows the blasting./mining engineer to review practices and maintain a good level of control over different blasting conditions, hence becoming a powerful engineering tool for continuous improvement. This is the main objective of the JKMRC-Blast Management System. 1.1.1 Database structure There are three items which define the hierarchy of the BMS database structure, namely: The Object ID, The Objects parent and The Object Type. These items reside in the generic information table of the BMS database, together with the Object Name, creation date etc. As the tree is structured, each object is assigned a unique ID number and a parent ID number. The only data objects that do not have a parent, are those at the top of the tree (ie. Root object). It is important that the user understands that the main objective of the Blast Management System (BMS) is to facilitate the generation of a database which can link all the information relevant to the drilling and blasting process. This is in conjunction with other databases such as those created in 2DBench. Thus, a database specific to BMS is being created and that all linkages and pointers are being stored here. However, the bulk of the information (design, parameters, photos, reports etc) will be residing in 2DBench databases or in specific folders in the user's computer system. This point will become clearer in Chapters 2 and 3.

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1.1.2 BMS Screen Layout Figure 1.2 shows the screen layout (ie. working area) of BMS. The screen is divided into the main window or tree viewing area, objects tool bar, functions tool bar, menu bar, title bar and a status bar. The main window allows the user to generate and view the tree structure of the BMS database. The function and object tool bars consist of a number of icons describing the main features available for the creation and manipulation of the database structure. The menu bar allows the user to access a series of functions and options for the development of a BMS database. The title and status bar display information about selected files and object nodes.
Title Bar Menu Bar Functions Tool Bar Object Tool Bar

Main Viewing Window

Status Bar

Figure 1.2 Screen Layout of BMS

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1.2 General Functions

The following section describes a number of general functions to manipulate and facilitate the construction of BMS databases. 1.2.1 Opening existing databases An existing BMS database can be opened by clicking the icon shown left or via the File+Open Existing Db menu item. A standard windows open file dialog box (Figure 1.3) is then activated to allow the user to locate the existing database.

Open database

Figure 1.3 open file dialog box.

Saving databases

1.2.2 Saving databases BMS databases can be saved by clicking the icon shown left or via the File+Save As menu item. A standard windows save file dialog box is activated (Figure 1.4).

Figure 1.4 open file dialog box.

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1.2.3 Creating new databases New BMS databases can be created by clicking in icon shown left or via the File+Create New Db menu item. A standard windows dialog box is activated for the user to create and name this new database (Figure 1.5)
Creating new database

Figure 1.5 Create new database dialog box.

1.2.4 Adding a new root object A new root object such as a mine site can be inserted by activating the icon shown left or via the Add Objects+New Root Object menu item. To add the object to the tree, the object type must be subsequently selected (ie. click on the add site object icon shown left or got to Add Objects + Mine objectsHome menu item).

Add root object

Add site

1.3 Tree Options

A number of options have been included in BMS that allow the user to navigate and view the database tree structure, these include: Open all branches, Close all branches, Close other branches, Prune this branch and Rebuild Tree. 1.3.1 Open all branches This option allows the user to display all branches in the current tree. The user must click on the open all branches icon shown left or access the Tree Options+Open all branches menu item.

Open all branches

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1.3.2 Close all branches

Close all branches

This option allows the user to close all branches in the current tree and to display the root object only (ie. mine site). The user must click on the close all branches icon (see left) or access the Tree Options+Close all branches menu item. 1.3.3 Prune this branch This option allows the user to close all branches in the tree and display only the selected node and its descendants. The user must click on the prune this branch icon (see left) or access the Tree Options+Prune this branch menu item. 1.3.4 Rebuild tree This option allows the user to display all nodes and rebuild the objects tree.

Prune this branch

Rebuild Tree

1.4 Editing Functions

This section describes the editing functions currently available in BMS. The user may access these functions via the Edit menu item or by pre-defined short cut keys. The main editing functions are: Rename, Cut, Copy, Paste, Delete, Find and Reset Search. 1.4.1 Rename object This option allows the user to type specific names to objects in the tree. The user must go to the Edit+Rename menu item or press F2. 1.4.2 Cut object This option allows the user to cut an object in the tree for subsequent pasting. The user must go to the Edit+Cut menu item or press Ctrl+X. 1.4.3 Copy object This option allows the user to copy an object in the tree for subsequent pasting. The user must go to the Edit+Copy menu item or press Ctrl+C. 1.4.4 Paste object This option allows the user to paste a previously copied or cut object. The user must go to the Edit+Paste menu item or press Ctrl+V.
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1.4.5 Delete object This option allows the user to delete an object from the tree. The user must go to the Edit+Delete menu item or press the Delete key.
Note

The above editing functions can also be accessed by right clicking the object node as shown in Figure 1.6.

Figure 1.6 Editing options accessed with right click

1.4.6 Find / Quick Query This option allows the user to locate specific object types in the tree. The user must go to the Edit+Find menu item or press F3. The find option opens a quick query dialog box (see Figure 1.7). This dialog box allows the user to quickly locate objects within a tree. For example the user might like to highlight all the blast objects present in the database, this can be achieved by running a quick query on Blast object types. The search will highlight these objects with a red circle (See Figure 1.8). Results can be reset via the Edit+Reset Search menu item

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Figure 1.7 Quick query dialog

Figure 1.8 Results of quick query

1.5 BMS Tools

This section describes tools available to further facilitate the organisation and reporting of BMS databases. The main tools include facilities for editing object types, editing object rules, generation of reports, File Utilities and Extra options.
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1.5.1 Edit object types This option allows the user to edit the object types and its generic information including name, image path, image key, ID, description, colour, visibility in the tool bar etc. The user must go to the Tools+Edit Object Type menu item to edit objects. The object types dialog box shown in Figure 1.9 is activated. The user can move from one object to the other by clicking in the next or previous record bar shown in Figure 1.9.

Move between objects

Figure 1.9 Object types dialog

Other information can also be edited in the above dialog, including the list of explosives and accessories (for costing purposes) and the type of blasts in the database (See Figure 1.10).

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Figure 1.10 Stocks and blast types dialog

1.5.2 Editing object rules "Edit object rules" allows the user to edit the relationship between objects. To turn on this edit mode, the user must go to the Tools+Edit object rules menu item. Once this mode is activated the user can click in any object in the tool bar to edit its relationships (See Figure 1.11).

Figure 1.11 Editing object relationships

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1.5.3 Generate Report This option allows the user to generate specific drilling and blasting reports, including cost information and drilling totals. The user must activate the report dialog box via the Tools+Generate Report menu item. Simple information is requested on a series of dialog boxes to facilitate the generation of a specific report. The main steps are described below together with Figures 1.12 through to 1.15. 1. The user must activate the generate report dialog box and if required select the dates and the type of information being requested, as shown in Figure 1.12.

Figure 1.12 Generate report dialog (dates tab)

2. The next dialog allows the user to select the database source from which the report will be generated (Figure 1.13). Note that the user can select more than one BMS database.

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Figure 1.13 Generate report dialog (databases tab)

3. The next dialog allows the user to see the information to be considered in the generation of a report. In this example, Figure 1.14 shows all of the blasts in the selected database, since no date option was used. In this dialog the user must also select the type of report required ie. Drilling or Explosives and accessories. In some cases the application of discounts and penalties can also be added to the total explosive consumption (this is a site specific option). Note that explosives and accessories reports refer to the actual amounts used and must be manually input. by the user in the cost object attached to a blast (See the description of the cost object in Chapter 2).

Figure 1.14 Generate report dialog (Results Tab)

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4. The last dialog shows the results of the report with specific sub-totals and totals (Figure 1.15). The user is able to print or save this information to a text. file.

Figure 1.15 Reports results

1.5.4 Files utilities This option allows the user to activate the path editor dialog shown in Figure 1.16. The user must go to Tools+Files Utilities. In the path editor the user is able to help the user edit the path of specific databases and pointers. This utility is currently being upgraded. The JKMRC can provide assistance when this utility is required, particularly when information needs to be moved and save in different locations (ie. local computer to main server or CD ROM).

Figure 1.16 Path editor dialog

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1.5.5 Options The options dialog shown in Figure 1.17 is activated via the Tools+Optoins menu item. Here the user is able to select a series of pre-defined properties to set display options during the operation of BMS and when the program starts. Figure 1.17 shows the global BMS options including: Return to last node on start up Open tree on start up Confirm the addition of new children Confirm the deletion of nodes Building tree options (date vs type) Display strings from 2DBench Setting the background colour of OpenGL 3D viewer

Figure 1.17 Options dialog (BMS tab)

The options dialog also allows the user to set the pointer and paths for the location of JKMRC blast design modules including 2DBench, 2DBench(+), 2Dring and 2Dface. He user can also set the default application (See Figure 1.18).

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Figure 1.18 Options dialog (Paths tab)

Other miscellaneous options such as setting default currency can be accessed via the Misc Tab in the options dialog described above.

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BMS - Database Objects

2.1 Introduction
This section describes the objects available to build a BMS database. Steps to build a BMS database will be described in Chapter 3. The user may wish to go directly to Chapter 3 and use Chapter 2 as a reference. In general, to build a BMS database, the user must add objects or branches and attach properties to these objects. Properties refer to specific "user input" information. Objects or nodes can be added to a BMS database by selecting the parent node and then clicking on the required object located in the objects tool bar. The relationship between objects is automatically stored. Properties or specific information may be added by double clicking the object. Property information is stored in BMS databases after the user has confirmed its entry. As mentioned in Chapter 1, detailed design information resides in the original database (ie. blast design information resides in 2DBench databases). BMS communicates directly with these databases. Chapter 3 described this in more detail.

Chapter

2.2 Description of mine objects and properties

This section describes the open pit mine objects currently available in BMS and accessed via the objects tool bar or via the Add Objects+Mine Objects menu item. 2.2.1 Site This object allows the user to add a new site to the tree (ie. new mine site). There are no properties attached to this object, except for its name. This object is generally the root of the tree.

Site

2.2.2 Open pit This object allows the user to add a new pit to the current node. There are no properties attached to this object, except for its name.

Open pit

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2.2.3 Domain
Domain

This object allows the user to add a new domain to the current node. There are no properties attached to this object, except for its name. 2.2.4 Rock types This object allows the user to add rock types to the current object. Generally attached to domain objects. Rock type information is entered via the Rock set data dialog shown in Figure 2.1, the user can activate this dialog by double clicking the object. To add information, the user must click on the (+) button. Rock types can be removed by clicking on the (-) button. To finish and save the information the user must click on the ( ) button.

Rock Types

These buttons allow the user to start adding or to remove rock type information

The user can switch to other pages to add required information

Figure 2.1 Rock set data dialog to add properties to the rock type object.

Joint sets

2.2.5 Joint sets collection This object allows the user to add joint set information to the current node. This object is also generally attached to a domain. Joint set information is entered via the discontinuity set data dialog shown in Figure 2.2, the user can activate this dialog by double clicking the object. To add information the user must click on the (+) button. Joint sets can be removed by clicking on the (-) button. To finish and save the information the user must click on the ( ) button.

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The user can add and remove joint set data with these buttons

A stereo net plot is activated by clicking this button.

Figure 2.2 Joint set data dialog to add properties to a joint sets collection

2.2.6 Bench This object allows the user to add a new bench object to the current node. Generally attached to a domain, the bench object can be a reference location for a collection of blasts. Bench information is entered via the bench dialog shown in Figure 2.3, the user can activate this dialog by double clicking the object. The user can specify the average top and bottom RL and bench height. To save the information the user must press the button labelled "done" on the bottom right corner of the box.

Bench

Figure 2.3 Bench object properties

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2.2.7 Blasts collection This object allows the user to add a new collection of blast designs. Generally attached to a domain or bench, this object is the start point for the addition of individual blast objects from JKMRC design modules such as 2DBench. If a series of blasts are attached to this object, then a summary is given by the "Blast collection property dialog" shown in Figure 2.4. To access this dialog, the use must double click on this object. The user can view, select and send the information to JKMRC design modules such as 2DBench. The user is also able to define blast types from a pre-defined list attached to the collections dialog box. For example, the user may wish to separate between buffer, ore and waste blasts. Blasts types can be added or modified in the Edit object types under the tools menu item (see section 1.5.1 in Chapter 1).

Blast collection

JKMRC design modules such as 2DBench can be directly activated from this button Extra blast design information can be viewed or saved into the database by pressing this button

Assign blast type from this list (ie. buffer, ore , waste etc.)

Figure 2.4 Blasts collection dialog

2DBench blast designs can also be imported and added to a blast collection by right clicking the blast collection object. When the user selects this option, the import dialog box is activated (see Figure 2.5). In here the user must identify the location of the 2DBench database and select the blasts to be added to the collection. To select and highlight blasts the user must click on the blast name.

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Blast information Locate 2DBench database

Add selected blasts

Select all blasts

Figure 2.5 Import blasts dialog

2.2.8 Blast Design This object allows the user to add a new blast to a collection of blasts. The user must right click on the blast collection object to add a new blast (See Figure 2.5). Once a new blast object is added to a collection, the user can start the design process with JKMRC design modules such as 2DBench by right clicking on this object and selecting the option to create a 2DBench design, as shown in Figure 2.6. Chapter 3 also describes the process of adding a design by activating the default JKMRC design module (ie. 2DBench).

Blast Design

Figure 2.5 Adding new blast to the collection

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Figure 2.6 Start up 2DBench to add design

Collection of photographs

2.2.9 Photograph collection & photograph object These objects allow the user to add a new collection of photographs. The user must click on the photograph collection object in the tool bar. Individual photos can be added to this collection by right clicking the collection object as shown in Figure 2.7. The properties of this object can be accessed by double clicking the object. The properties dialog shows the collection of pictures with their current location (see Figure 2.8). Note that BMS accesses the computer's current viewing utility available.

Photograph object

Double click to select location of picture

Figure 2.7 Add photo to the collection

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Double click to select picture

Figure 2.8 Properties of photo collection object

2.2.10 Video Collection & Video object These objects allow the user to add a new collection of video files (currently: *.avi, and *.mpg formats). The user must click on the video collection object in the tool bar. Individual videos can be added to this collection by right clicking the collection object as per the photograph collection object described in section 2.2.9. The properties of this object can be accessed by double clicking the object. The properties dialog shows the collection of video files with their current location (see Figure 2.9). ). Note that BMS accesses the computer's current viewing utility available.

Video Collection

Video object

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Double click to select movie

Figure 2.9 Video collection properties window

Fragmentatio n object

2.2.11 Fragmentation object This object allows the user to add fragmentation information to the current node. This object is generally attached to a blast design object or a domain object. To add this object, the user must click on the fragmentation object in the tool bar. To add information, the user must double click the object. Figure 2.10 shows the dialog box that allows the user to input information in the form of fragmentation data sets. The user is able to manually input raw data to a set or import a text or a Split Engineering file. Split Engineering is a fragmentation image analysis software developed by the Split Engineering Group in Arizona, USA.

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Double click here to add raw data

Viewing window Click here to import text or split file Click here to export text file

Add or remove fragmentation data sets

Figure 2.10 Fragmentation information dialog

2.2.12 Generic file object This object allows the user to add a link to any file in the system. This may include word documents (reports), excel spreadsheets etc. The user must click on the generic file object in the tool bar. To add the location of the file and its start up application, the user must double click the object to activate the generic file window shown in Figure 2.11.

Generic file

Run application or Quickview.

Browse and select application and file

Figure 2.11 Generic file information dialog

2.2.13 Cost object This object allows the user to add a cost object to the current node. Attached to a blast design object, the cost object provides a summary of theoretical
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Cost object

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quantities and costs based on JKMRC blast design modules information (ie. 2DBench database information). This object also allows the user to manually enter actual explosive and accessories information. To add this object, the user must click on the cost object in the tool bar. To view and input information to the BMS database, the user must double click this object and access the cost information dialog box (Figure 2.12).

Explosive type Accessories (Boosters and delays)

Drilling information Select from predefined list (see section 1.5.1)

A report can be generated from here

This window will show design values

Figure 2.12 Cost object information

Contact object

2.2.14 Contact object This object allows the user to add contact information to the current node. To add this object the user must click the contact object in the tool bar (see left). To add information the user must double click the contact object to activate the contact information dialog shown in Figure 2.13.

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Figure 2.13 Contact information

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Building a BMS Database

3.1 Introduction
As described in Chapter 1, the information generated by a mining operation and in particular that generated by the drilling and blasting process can be organised following a hierarchical approach. The tree structure adopted in BMS allows the user to construct a database in such a manner. The object oriented approach allows the user move away from widely used "column-row input" database formats, which tend to be cumbersome, very hard to maintain and site specific. BMS allows the user to develop a database of drilling and blast information very quickly and with no prior knowledge of standard database software packages. BMS databases are not "stand alone" databases. They allow both the storage of specific information about an object as well as links to other databases such as blast design databases from 2DBench, 2DFace and 2DRing. BMS also allows the user to store links (pointers) to other type of information stored in the users's own computer system or main server, this includes generic files (ie. reports, spreadsheets etc.) photographs and video.

Chapter

3.2 Tutorial
Launch BMS from the start programs menu of the windows system or double click in a short cut if this has been previously defined. The last database being updated will be opened on start up if the user has selected this option in the tools options menu item (see Chapter 1, section 1.5.5). To create a new database, the user must follow the procedure described in Chapter 1, in section 1.2.3. Once a name has been defined and then saved, the user will see a blank page as shown in Figure 3.1. This indicates that the program is ready for the creation of a new tree. Note that the "add new root object" icon is highlighted by default. This is the root of the tree and it generally identifies the top most object of the hierarchy. In our case, this will be the mine site.

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Figure 3.1 Starting a new BMS database

To add a new mine site the user should click on the site object icon (see section 2.2.1). Figure 3.2 shows the result of such action.

Figure 3.2 Adding root object to database (eg. new mine site)

To change the name of this object, the user has three options: 1. Press F2 and type the required name (as shown in Figure 3.3)
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2. Right click and choose rename object from the "pop up" menu list and then type the required name. 3. Go to Edit+Rename menu item and then type the required name

Figure 3.3 Renaming root object

Since some sites may be operating a number of open pits, the pit object allows the identification of individual pits. To add a new pit to the mine site the user must select the mine site object (eg. Cerro Vanguardia) and click on the pit object icon, as described in section 2.2.2. Figure 3.4 shows the addition of this pit object, which has no properties except for its name. The procedure for renaming this and all object nodes is similar to that described above.

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Figure 3.4 Adding a pit object

Within a pit, there will be a number of geotechnical or blasting domains which can be defined in the database by the "geotechnical unit " object. To add this object, the user must select the pit object and click on the geotechnical unit icon. For example, let us say that the Natalia pit has been divided into 4 different geotechnical domains or units as shown in Figure 3.5. The user must add four geotechnical units and name them accordingly.

Figure 3.5 Adding geotechnical units

Each domain must have specific rock type and jointing information attached to them. The user may add these specific objects with the required geotechnical information for that domain. For example as shown in Figure 3.6 the user attaches a collection of rock types and a collection of joints to the "massive ore" domain. To add information to the database the user must double click on the object as indicated in section 2.2.4 and 2.2.5.
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Figure 3.6 Adding domain specific rock type and jointing information

Before adding a collection of blasts to a specific domain, the user is also able to separate blast locations with the "bench" object, this is not always the case, however this may be useful for reviewing the location of blasts from previously mined benches. Figure 3.7 shows the definition of this object, which is also attached to the "Massive ore " domain in this example. The properties of a bench object are described in section 2.2.6.

Figure 3.7 Adding a bench object to domains

A collection of blasts can now be attached to a bench located in a specific domain. The user must click on the "blast collection object". From the collection object, the user may add individual blasts or may import a collection of blasts from a specific JKMRC design module database (ie. a 2DBench database). The importation process follows what is described in Figure 3.8 and 3.9, where the import blasts option is chosen and the import dialog box is
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activated. From the selected database, the user may select a number of designs to add to the collection.

Figure 3.8 Importing blasts to a collection

Browse database Add selected designs

Figure 3.9 Importing and adding 2dBench blasts to a collection

To add a new blast and to begin the design process and using a specific module (ie. 2DBench), the user must right click in the collection object and choose to add a blast to the collection from the pop up menu shown in Figure 3.8 above. After this action, a new blast object is added to the collection as shown in Figure 3.10. The user may now right click on this individual object and choose to create a design in 2DBench.

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See figure 3.11

Figure 3.10

This action allows the user to first identify the appropriate design in an existing 2DBench database or create a new one with a new name etc. (see Figure 3.10).

Figure 3.11

After assigning a database and a new name, BMS launches the default design module (ie. 2DBench). In general, different blast designs will have different outcomes in terms of fragmentation, maximum PPV at a specific point, Costs etc. A number of these and other objects such as photographs and videos can be added to individual blast objects, thus allowing the user to automatically build a library of blast designs and results in specific domains. This in turn allows the engineer to continuously improve designs based on properly documented changes and properly quantified results.
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Following our example, to the new created blast, a cost object is added as indicated in Figure 3.12. This cost object as described in section 2.2.13 automatically identifies theoretical or "as design" information from the design module database (eg. in this case 2DBench). Also as indicated in section 2.2.13, the actual quantities used can be manually input to allow the engineer to keep track of explosives and accessories consumption.

Figure 3.12

Other objects can also be added to this particular blast design, for example photographs showing the resulting muckpile, fragmentation, overbreak etc.. The user must first add a photograph collection object . Figure 3.13 shows when two collections of pictures have been added to a particular blast object, one collection points to a series of pictures taken from the muckpile for fragmentation analysis purposes and another collection compiles a series of photographs showing backbreak observations. The procedure for adding pictures is described in section 2.2.9. Assuming that this particular blast was fully monitored and recorded using high or normal speed digital video. A collection of video files currently of the format *.avi or mpeg can also be added to the database in the same way as a collection of photographs. (see Figure 3.14). The video collection object is described in section 2.2.10.

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Figure 3.13

Figure 3.14

Fragmentation information can also be added to a blast object (See Figure 3.15). As described in section 2.2.11, this information can be added manually or imported directly from a text file or a Split output file.

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Figure 3.15

Generic files can be very useful in keeping track with specific information related to a particular blast design, domain, pit , mine site etc. For example a generic file can be attached to a report submitted by a consultant or a spreadsheet of statistics etc. Figure 3.16 shows generic files attached to a specific domain and to an individual blast. This object is described in more detail in section 2.2.12.

Figure 3.16

Another useful object information is the contact object, this can be attached to specific objects such as generic files etc., for example Figure 3.17 shows
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contacts for drill equipment supplier attached to the mine and a external consultant. The contact information object is described in section 2.2.14.

Figure 3.17

As mentioned earlier, objects to build a database are described in detailed in Chapter 2. The user should be familiar with all of the available objects. Site specific objects can be added but must be customised by the JKMRC in conjunction with mine site personnel.

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