How St Barbara (Touquoy) increased grade by ~7% through 3D blast-movement modelling
OREPro3D predicts ore displacement and updates dig lines. Less dilution and better classification improve feed quality.
Context
Blast movement often caused ore/waste misclassification, contributing to dilution and lower head grades. Traditional approaches lacked the precision to predict how material shifts post-blast. A more accurate representation of blast movement was required.
Solution
3D modeling tools were used to interpret movement vectors and update digging polygons after blasting activities. These updated polygons allowed loading teams to dig according to the actual post-blast distribution, improving spatial accuracy.
Results
The mine achieved approximately 7% grade improvement and 6.5% dilution reduction over 12 months across 33 blasts. These outcomes demonstrate the benefit of adjusting digging boundaries based on real blast movement.
Data Inputs
Blast design, burden/spacing, timing; pre/post-blast surveys