THE ISSUE

    Vale was interested in investigating fragmentation optimization to develop a drill and blast stope process to deliver material meeting the size specification limit of the Rail-Veyor conveyance system.

    THE SOLUTION

    Acting on behalf of Vale, CEMI contracted MIRARCO’s Geomechanics Research Centre (GRC) to undertake a baseline fragmentation study at the Birchtree Mine in Thompson, Manitoba.

    THE RESULTS

    Block size distributions in two mining blocks were obtained through digital image analysis of muck at drawpoint muck piles and in LHD buckets.

    Contact

    Solution team

    • Al Akerman, CEMI
    • Denis Thibodeau, Vale
    • Bo-Hyun Kim, MIRARCO