Maintain G-Blast Components

Note: Editing a G-Blast component does not affect existing G-Blast charge standards that already use that component. The G-Blast charge standard retains an historical copy of the components. To use an updated component, you must reselect it in the G-Blast charge standard configuration. (The same logic applies for the conventional charge standard specified for use when there are no strata intersections.)

Access G-Blast component configuration:

  1. On the DataBlast Application Menu, select Site Maintenance.

    The Site Maintenance screen displays.

  2. Select the Charge Standards » G-Blast Components node.

    The Charge Standard Maintenance Ribbon Menu displays.

To create a G-Blast component:

  1. Select the Initiation System Type from Non-Electric and Electronic.

    This field is then read-only until the new G-Blast component has been saved (or the changes have been abandoned).

  2. On the Charge Standard Maintenance ribbon menu, click Add Charge Standard.

    The Charge Standard screen displays.

  3. Select the Charge Standard Type from:
    • G-Blast above Strata
    • G-Blast below Strata
    • G-Blast between Strata
  4. Enter the Name.
  5. Select the Drill Diameter from the allowed diameters. See Configure Mine Site Settings. The diameter range is the selected diameter +/- 10%. For example, a 150 mm standard can be used with a 140 mm and a 159 mm hole but not with a 200 mm hole.
  6. Select whether this G-Blast component is an Inhibited Charge Standard. If checked, only inhibited products can be assigned to the G-Blast component. This setting is read-only after the G-Blast component has been created.
  7. Click Next.

    A diagram illustrates the lengths to be defined.

  8. For an above-strata G-Blast component, update the following lengths as required:
    • Stemming—The standard stemming deck for the particular hole diameter in the expected ground conditions. Typical length: 20 to 30 diameters.
    • Minimum Stemming—Where the stratum daylights and the charge length shortens, the stemming may need to be reduced. In soft ground the minimum stemming can be the same as stemming. In hard material minimum stemming can be 15 diameters or less; however, there is a risk of rifling and cratering.
    • Roof Deck—The standard inert deck between the toe of the charge and the roof of the stratum. Typical length: 10 diameters.
    • Minimum Roof Deck—Where the stratum daylights and the explosive deck shortens, the roof deck may need to be reduced. The reduction depends on the hardness of the overlying material and the stratum.
    • Minimum Explosive Deck—The minimum deck to be loaded. Where a calculated explosive deck is shorter than this length, the deck is replaced with aggregate. Typical length: 6 diameters.

      Important: A G-Blast charge standard can only use components that have a consistent minimum explosive deck.

    Note: The default lengths depend on the G-Blast Defaults in Modelling Settings and the selected drill diameter. These lengths are used to calculate the following definition lengths:
    • The first definition length starts at MinStem + MinRoof + MinExp and ends at a calculated value. All three decks have floating lengths.
    • The second definition length starts and ends at calculated values. The roof deck has a fixed length and the explosive and stemming decks are floating.
    • The third definition length starts at a calculated value and ends at the Final Charge Length. The roof and stemming decks have fixed lengths and the explosive deck is floating.
  9. For a below-strata G-Blast component, update the following lengths as required:
    • Minimum Explosive Deck
    • Minimum Floor Deck—Due to compression of the explosive deck as the stratum plunges below grade, the minimum floor deck may be reduced. The reduction depends on the hardness of the materials and the depth.
    • Floor Deck—To protect the bottom of the stratum an aggregate floor deck may be specified. Typical length: 5 to 25 diameters.
    Note: These lengths are used to calculate the following definition lengths:
    • The first definition length starts at MinExp + MinFloor and ends at a calculated value. Both decks have floating lengths.
    • The second definition length starts at a calculated value and ends at the Final Charge Length. The aggregate deck has a fixed length and the explosive deck is floating.
  10. For a between-strata G-Blast component, update the following lengths as required:
    • Minimum Explosive Deck
    • Minimum Floor Deck
    • Fixed Floor Deck
    • Fixed Roof Deck
    Note: These lengths are used to calculate the following definition lengths:
    • The first definition length starts at MinExp + MinFloor + Roof and ends at a calculated value. The floor deck has a fixed length and the explosive and roof decks are floating.
    • The second definition length starts at a calculated value and ends at the Final Charge Length. The floor and roof decks have fixed lengths and the explosive deck is floating.
  11. Enter the Final Charge Length. Maximum hole length. This length is read-only after the G-Blast component has been created. Default: 50.00 m.

    Important: A G-Blast charge standard can only use components that have a consistent final charge length.

  12. Select whether to Use Drill Cuttings for Stemming. Only applicable to above-strata G-Blast components.
  13. Click Next.
  14. A table displays a summary of the calculated hole definition lengths and their decks.

    Note: Except the Name and Drill Size, all settings are read-only after the G-Blast component has been created.

  15. Click Finish.
  16. Update the Blast Type if required. Select from charge standard blast types that have the applicable initiation system type. See Maintain Charge Standard Blast Types.
  17. Enter Comments if required.
  18. Click Save Changes.

Note: The process to edit a definition in a G-Blast component is as for editing a definition in a conventional charge standard. See Maintain Conventional Charge Standards. Specify different products as required. However, do not change the lengths of fixed or floating decks.

To copy a G-Blast component:

  1. Select the Initiation System Type from Non-Electric and Electronic.
  2. Select the G-Blast component.
  3. On the Charge Standard Maintenance ribbon menu, click Duplicate Charge Standard.
  4. Edit the G-Blast component as required.
  5. Click Save Changes.

To deactivate a G-Blast component:

  1. Select the Initiation System Type from Non-Electric and Electronic.
  2. Uncheck Active for the G-Blast component.
  3. Click Save Changes.