I-kon initiation system

Everybody knows that protected objects within the confines of a city are a challenge for strip mines that use explosives to hew. It is often necessary to reduce the amount of explosive or shot holes in a series. Such action aims at minimizing the negative impact of seismic activity.

Because different types of seismic activities affect buildings differently, the impact of the use of explosive can be reduced through changing the character of seismic activity. It is possible now to calculate the delay time in fuses (e.g. in electronic fuses) with great precision. They allow firing explosive charges with a precision of 1 ms, which is progress in comparison with non-electric systems, not to mention electric ones. The State Mining Authority certified the system fit for use in mining plants. What are the advantaged compared to the other systems? Above all precision of calculating the delay time, quick presetting, easy use, a considerable degree of safety.

On the day of June 14, 2008 Orica Poland Sp. z o.o. and Centralne Laboratorium Techniki Strzeleckiej i Materiałów Wybuchowych attached to the Department of Opencast Mining of AGH University of Science and Technology in Cracow presented in Regulice the i-kon initiation system. The participants (among those present were representatives of the industry and mining authorities, students, and academics) were familiarized with how it was structured and operated. A demonstration of how electronic fuses work summed the meeting up.

Of course, experimental explosions are just the first step towards applying new technology. Therefore towards the end of June Poland’s first experimental explosions under electronic system in industrial condition in the Kowala mine started. The POLTEGOR-INSTITUTE in Wrocław played a part in it. On the basis of field measurements the acceptable amounts of explosives and technological conditions were defined. The electronic fuses’ usefulness for reducing the impact of seismic activity on objects within the confines of the mine was confirmed. After the explosions stopped, the POLTEGOR-INSTITUTE prepared an expert opinion that was made effective. The test results are systematically monitored and analyzed by the Mine’s Vibration Monitoring System in cooperation with the AGH University of Science and Technology in Cracow. The reduction in the negative impact will for sure make the plant and local dwellers good neighbors.

Zenon Sypniowski