Case Study

Central Electronic Blasting Systems (CEBS)

Xstrata Copper – Mount Isa Copper Operations

Site Profile 1 Master firing toggle (arming lockbox)

Xstrata Copper Mount Isa Copper Operations (MICO)
is located in the city of Mount Isa, which is
approximately 910km west of Townsville, Queensland.
Mining in Mount Isa started with production of lead ore
in 1923 - followed by adding silver, zinc and copper to
its portfolio over the succeeding years. In more recent
years copper has been the major export metal,
producing approximately 270,000 tonnes of copper
metal annually.
The Situation
Initial application of the i-kon™ system was limited to
complex stope firings. By 2006 approximately 2 million
tonnes of ore production per year was being blasted
using the i-kon™ system. The majority of these blasts
being individual mass firings greater than 100,000t.
The MICO Drill and Blast team recognised the need for
a blasting system that allowed the conduct of complex
blasts with several changes of direction over a number
of sub levels, all the while minimising vibrations on the
lease and to the nearby City of Mount Isa.
Technical Solutions
2 Remote blasting boxes (RBB)
Underground analogue phone line system
The Result
CEBS was commissioned on the 31 August 2006 with
a total of eighteen Xstrata Copper MICO personnel
trained in its application. Ongoing support from Orica’s
Electronic Blasting Services and Technical Services
team is also provided. CEBS has assisted delivery of
more efficient shift changes during the larger mass
blasts. The CEBS system enables all blasts to be
initiated remotely complementing the other existing
systems MICO has in place. The mine Process
Control room now has total control over all clearance
and initiation of underground blasting at MICO.
Efficient shift changes mean all underground
personnel are out from underground and/or in
designated safe areas prior to any blasts occurring.
MOUNT ISA COPPER MINE
CEBS FIRINGS
0m
200
N

MICO approached Orica to combine the safety of

R62
remote firing and the production benefits of using the SHAFT
1600 m

X41
SHAFT U62
i-kon™ system to find a solution to blast remotely. This SHAFT
900 m

was essential to continue to improve the safe M62

INTERNAL
SHAFT
productive workplace for the drill and blast crews. X347 STOPE

X41 MINE
i-kon™ Centralised Electronic Blast System (CEBS) 700 m

allows the initiation of underground blasts from a FOOTWALL LENS

OREBODY
Mine Analogue
Telephone System
400 m
3500 U661 STOPE
OREBODY
controlled location on the surface. Capable of firing up ENTERPRISE MINE
to 2400 i-kon™ detonators - the system incorporates
the following:
Dedicated PC (CEBS complement) This remote capability has improved the environment
for program checks and initiation procedures for
1 Lock box (secure main firing box) blasting of complex or mass blasts – which were
1 Modem (CEBS complement) previously fired from underground in crib rooms or
another safe location. This is seen on site by Xstrata
1 Smart toggle per Remote Blast Box (random Copper MICO management as a positive step forward
encrypted code) in blasting practices and compliments its existing

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www.oricaminingservices.com | Document reference: 100055
Case Study
Central Electronic Blasting Systems (CEBS)
Xstrata Copper – Mount Isa Copper Operations

practices of all firings being remotely initiated. The final

benefit of the CEBS is that upgrades to the system are
constantly being researched which means Xstrata
Copper MICO has the opportunity to at the forefront of
this technology as it continues to improve.

Acknowledgements
Orica Mining Services would like to acknowledge the
dedicated support of Xstrata Copper MICO
Development and Co-ordination departments; Michael
Holmes (General Manager - MICO), Nick Slade
(Manager – Mine Development), Adam Barton
(Superintendent - Drill & Blast), Steve Woodroffe (Drill
& Blast Engineer) and Nick Adsett (Drill & Blast
Engineer).

Page 2 | © Copyright Orica Limited Group

www.oricaminingservices.com | Document reference: 100055