WO2014055024A1

WO2014055024A1 - Method and arrangement for detecting an explosive detonation

Info

Publication number: WO2014055024A1
Application number: PCT/SE2013/051160
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stig FJELLBORG; Svante EDIN
Original assignee: Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara Ab
Priority date: 2012-10-03
Filing date: 2013-10-03
Publication date: 2014-04-10

Abstract

The invention concerns a method and an arrangement for the detection of the detonation of an explosive during mining or similar. According to the method, a radio signal-based system is used that has one or several ID transmitter units (10:1-10:n) that can transmit a code that has been determined in advance, and a receiver unit (20) for the reception of a radio signal from a particular transmitter unit. Each transmitter unit is electrically passive and lacks a source of power. Each ID transmitter unit is charged during a blasting operation with the required electrical energy and activated to transmit its identification code by using a part of the energy that is released during the detonation in order to power the radio transmitter. Before a blasting operation, a report is drawn up containing primary identification, consisting of information about the identity code of each ID transmitter unit that has been associated with a charge, and after the blasting operation has been carried out a report is drawn up with secondary identification data consisting of signals received in the receiver unit (20) whose identification code from a particular ID transmitter unit constitutes a confirmation that the charge that has been associated with the same has been detonated.

Description

Method and arrangement for the detection of the detonation of an explosive

The present invention concerns a method for the detection of the detonation of an explosive and an arrangement to execute the method. The invention concerns also a detonator arrangement and a method of using an ID transmitter unit.

During the blasting of rock cavities and tunnels in rock, and during underground mining of minerals such as iron ore, it is common during what is known as a "preparative procedure" to drill holes in the rock and subsequently to place explosive material in the boreholes. It is normal that explosives in bulk are placed in the borehole together with a detonator arrangement for the subsequent detonation of the explosives when the salvo is fired. The said detonator arrangement, which is normally constituted by detonators that are applied with associated feed cables, is arranged in the borehole during charging. During the ore mining procedure, repeated drilling of a large number of boreholes of small diameter in patterned groups is carried out in the ore body, and explosive charges are subsequently applied in the boreholes, which charges are subsequently caused to detonate in order to blast free ore and rock. A series of charges is coupled together normally in what is known as an "explosive network" by means of electrical feed cables intended to deliver a high- frequency electrical pulse to the detonator arrangement in each explosive charge that is a component of a salvo. When an explosive charge is detonated, the detonation produces two principal effects in its immediate surroundings: pressure waves that spread out in all directions from the reaction zone of the detonated charge at a speed greater than the speed of sound (which pressure waves demonstrate a high pressure), and light, which is produced by the hot gases that are formed during the detonation of the charge.

There has long been a need within rock blasting technology to be able to check the function of a salvo in the field, for example in a mine, by detecting whether the explosive that is a component of a series of charges of a salvo has actually been detonated, and if so the extent to which this has occurred. Information of this type is of value with respect to, among other issues, the risks of handling rock material containing undetonated explosives. Follow up of the detonation process is further necessary in order to check the quality and efficiency of the blasting operations, and for the development of new methods and systems. It is desirable in this type of monitoring to be able to determine the fraction of the total length of boreholes that has been detonated in the intended manner. Typical problems in this context are to discover methods and instruments that are suitable for the difficult conditions that are prevalent in the field and that satisfy the necessary safety requirements, when using, for example, electrical equipment and cables in association with explosives. Safety and efficiency require also that it is possible for methods and equipment to be handled easily by ordinary personnel. During more extensive use in production mining, the costs should, furthermore, be low and adapted to normal working methods, i.e. the work to check the detonation should not in itself constitute any further working steps, in addition to the actual work of charging and blasting.

The present invention has as its purpose to achieve a method for the detection of the detonation of an explosive, i.e. a type of functional control of each individual explosive charge in a salvo that makes it possible to avoid or reduce the problems described above. The invention has in particular the purpose of offering a method that is easy to use and that can be carried out by ordinary blasting personnel, and one that is adapted to currently used working methods. Furthermore, it is desirable to achieve a working method that does not compromise safety. A second purpose of the invention is to achieve an arrangement for the execution of the method, i.e. for the detection of the detonation on an explosive.

The first purpose of the invention is achieved through a method that demonstrates the characteristics and distinctive features that are specified in claim 1. The second purpose of the invention is achieved through an arrangement that demonstrates the distinctive features that are specified in claim 6. The invention is sufficient suggests also a type of detonator arrangement in the form of, for example, a detonator that can be a part of the arrangement according to the invention. Further distinctive features and advantages of the invention are made clear by the non-independent claims.

In one design of the invention, electronic identification systems, i.e. systems that depend on radio frequency-based communication between a transmitter/receiver unit, are used for the identification of a specific object, which in this case is constituted by an individual explosive charge. It should here be remembered that radio waves travel at the speed of light and thus at a wave propagation speed that equals approximately 3-10⁸ m/s and that therefore exceeds greatly the speed of the pressure wave from a detonation. A transmitter unit of the type that is intended to be a component of the system generates and transmits an identification signal, ID - a signal that in its simplest form may be constituted by an analogue signal with a pre-determined frequency, but can appropriately include identification data in the form of a digital code that is stored in a chip in the ID transmitter unit. Technologies that can be used for the emission of an identification code by radio signal may be RFID (radio frequency identification transponder), Bluetooth, Zigbee, Wi-Fi or NFC (near field communication). According to the invention, the ID transmitter unit remains electrically passive until the instant at which the charge detonates, whereby the ID transmitter unit is charged and activated to transmit its identification signal. The term "electrically passive" is used in the following text to denote the absence of an integral permanent source of power, for example, in the form of a battery. Charging and activation take place with energy that is obtained from the detonation, in particular in the form of light that appears from the said detonation, which light is collected by solar cells in order to supply electrical power that drives the ID transmitter unit. It is appropriate that an identification system is used for this that has an ID transmitter unit arranged at each charge and that is charged and activated to transmit an identification signal when a detonation occurs. The ID transmitter unit is charged using energy in the form of light from the detonation. The energy is loaded as electricity into a condensor or a similar voltage or current storage element. The ID transmitter unit can exchange between charging and discharging with the aid of a controller or switch. The ID transmitter unit can be regarded as being electrically passive in its uncharged condition before the blasting operation, and this gives a number of safety advantages during blasting work.

The ID transmitter units that are under consideration comprise, mainly, the following components: a radio transmitter that can transmit on a pre-determined frequency, a passive power supply system with a condensor for the temporary storage of an electrical charge, one or several solar cells or photovoltaic cells connected in series for the conversion of light from a detonation to electrical power, a switch or controller with a detonation sensor connected to it. In the case in which the voltage from one or several solar cells connected in series is not sufficient to power a radio transmitter, it is conceivable to use a DC/DC converter in order to increase the voltage to the level that is required to enable the transmitter to transmit a radio signal. The selected radio frequency or digital identification code in the message that is transmitted is pre-determined and so selected that it is different for each ID transmitter unit, which makes it possible to identify the message and thus also to determine which ID transmitter unit has transmitted its message, and thus makes it possible also to determine that the particular charge with which the ID transmitter unit has been associated has detonated. The selected frequency or identification code constitutes what will be denoted below as "primary identification data", and can be used to draw up a charging report with primary ID data. Energy in the form of light from a detonation can be received in the ID unit and used to charge direct voltage, which is stored in a condensor to supply the radio transmitter of the ID transmitter unit with power. As a response to a detonation that is detected by the detonation sensor, each ID transmitter unit is activated to transmit primary identification data in the form of a radio signal with a frequency or identification code that has been pre-determined for the ID transmitter unit. The radio signal is collected by a receiver, further processing takes place in a computer or CPU in order to form secondary identification data.

In the case in which the identification code includes identification data that is constituted by an analogue radio signal with a particular frequency, it is appropriate that an A/D converter is used in the receiver, in which the signal is converted to a digital signal for further processing in a computer. In the case in which the identification data includes predetermined and distinctive radio frequencies, it can be mentioned that the radio frequencies can be separated from the various ID transmitter units as a series of pre-determined primary identification data with the aid of filters or other known circuits used for adaptation. The radio signals, with different frequencies, that have been separated and converted to digital form from the said secondary identification data.

A detonation report can be drawn up by comparing the primary identification data and the charging report that has been drawn up during the charging with the secondary identification data that has been obtained as confirmations following a blasting operation or salvo. The detonation report shows whether all charges have been detonated or not. Where relevant, information is received also about which one of the charges has not detonated and information about where the defective charge is geographically located, if such information has been included in the charging report. Primary identification data may, in its simplest form, consist of a report with a list of ID transmitter units in which each ID transmitter unit is designed to transmit a pre-determined identification code where the said identification code in a similar manner as the alternatives can be constituted by a radio signal with a pre- determined frequency for the relevant ID transmitter unit. It is appropriate that the monitor that is used to visualise the result of the blasting operation, such as the said detonation report, form a part of a hand-held portable unit that can be carried by personnel during blasting operations at the site.

An ID transmitter unit is used in the present invention for the detection of the detonation of an explosive. A detonation sensor that can detect an explosive charge that detonates is associated with the ID transmitter unit. The ID transmitter unit receives sufficient power from the light of a detonation such that it can transmit a radio signal with a frequency that has been determined for the ID transmitter unit. The radio signal with a pre-determined identification code for the ID transmitter unit or a pre-determined frequency for the ID transmitter unit thus forms part of primary identification data. Accumulated energy in the form of light from a detonation passes through the switch and is stored as an electrical voltage in a condensor at the ID transmitter unit. One advantage of using a passive ID transmitter unit that lacks internal power supply, such as, for example, a battery, is that the risk of unintentional detonation of explosive is kept to a minimum while it is well known that batteries and equipment with an active power supply are not suitable for use in the presence of explosives due to the risk that they can detonate the explosive such that the detonation takes place at the wrong time. Due to the fact that the present passive ID transmitter unit lacks an integral power supply, they are not only safe to use in combination with explosives but also cheap to manufacture. Designed as adhesive labels or as labels sealed with a plastic covering, they can be applied in a simple manner, for example, directly onto the explosive material, onto the detonator arrangement, or onto parts of it. Polymeric solar cells of thin plastic film type are previously known. The ID transmitter unit may be applied onto the detonator arrangement at the site in a work procedure before a blasting operation, or it may be applied to the detonator arrangement before, i.e. during the manufacture of the detonator arrangement in the factory. It should be realised that the possibility of carrying out functional testing of the detonation process of charges is particularly important when blasting in built-up areas.

The invention will be described below in more detail with reference to an embodiment that is shown in the attached drawings, of which:

Figure 1 shows schematically a section of rock with a number of boreholes each one of which has been loaded with explosive for a salvo and provided with the required detonator arrangement, whereby, according to the invention, a communication link is associated with each charge, which communication link includes an arrangement that, by sending a radio signal with an identification code (code/frequency) that has been pre-determined for the arrangement to a receiver, delivers a confirmation that a particular charge that is a component of the salvo has been detonated;

Figure 2 shows schematically a plan view of a part that is a component of the radio signal-based arrangement according to the invention and that includes an ID transmitter unit with a detonation sensor, a solar cell, a controller or switch, and a condensor,

Figure 3 shows in a side view how blasting personnel during the loading of a salvo apply an ID transmitter unit in the form of a label onto a detonator arrangement for an explosive charge in a borehole, and

Figure 4 shows a block diagram of circuits for the transmission of identification data (ID radio-frequency signal or code) for the detection of a detonation in a particular explosive charge of a salvo.

With reference to Figure 1 , a section of rock 1 that has been prepared for a blasting salvo by a series of boreholes 2 having been filled with explosive, in this case explosives in bulk (not shown in the drawing), is there schematically shown. A detonator arrangement 3 in the form of a detonator for the subsequent detonation of the explosive in the borehole 2 has been arranged together with the explosive in each borehole 2. The charges are connected in known manner by means of what is known as a "detonator network" 4, consisting of electrical feed cables intended to deliver a high-frequency electrical pulse to each detonator arrangement (not shown in the drawing) arranged for each charge.

For the identification of each charge and in order to be able to check that the charges that are components of the salvo have been detonated in the intended manner, a communication unit in the form of an ID transmitter unit 10:1 -10:n is arranged that can transmit identification data during charging and activation, which may be constituted by an identification code that is stored in a memory chip in the unit or a radio signal with a radio transmission frequency that has been determined for each unit. Each such ID transmitter unit 10:1 -10:n, constructed to transmit pre-determined identification data in the presence of and following the detection of a detonation, is arranged at its relevant charge 3.

For the present invention a receiver 20 is used that can receive identification data from the relevant ID transmitter unit 10:1 -10:n. The receiver 20 can be regarded as stationary and it is appropriate that it be placed at a safe distance from a blasting operation. Each ID transmitter unit 10:1-10:n that is arranged at an explosive charge 3 for a salvo is charged with energy in the form of the light that is formed during a detonation. The light energy that is absorbed by one or several solar cells connected in series in order to achieve the level of voltage that is required is stored in an energy-storage arrangement. The energy can be used with the aid of a controller of a switch to power a transmitter that is a component of the ID transmitter unit. A radio signal is transmitted by the radio transmitter with one pre-determined identity for each ID transmitter unit. Due to the fact that the radio signal has a pre-determined identity, it constitutes at the same time primary identification data that is unique for the particular ID transmitter unit. Appropriate technologies that can be used during the emission of identification codes by radio from an ID transmitter unit are of low-energy type with limited range, such as, for example, RFID ("radio frequency identification transponder"), Bluetooth, Zigbee or NFC (near field communication). One advantage of the present technology in combination with explosives is that the ID transmitter unit remains electrically passive until the instant at which the charge is detonated, whereby the ID transmitter unit is charged with electrical energy and activated to transmit its identification signal.

As has been mentioned above, the receiver 20 is intended to be located at a suitable safe distance from the blasting operation. The task of the receiver 20 is to receive a quantity of identification data 45 that is transmitted from each ID transmitter unit 10:1-10:n in a borehole 2 at the same instant as the blasting operation is carried out. The identification data that is intended to be transmitted from each ID transmitter unit 10:1-10:n will be denoted below as "primary identification data" and it contains information about at least the identity number, the ID number, of the particular ID transmitter unit 10:1-10:n. The said ID number may be stored in a chip in the ID transmitter unit or it may be derived from a determined transmission frequency for an ID transmitter unit. The receiver 20 is connected to a supervisory computer system that comprises a computer 50, a CPU and a presentation unit 60, with the aid of which presentation unit the personnel who are working with the blasting operation can obtain information about the result of the blasting operation. The personnel can obtain, in other words, more detailed information about which of the large number of charges that are components of the salvo have de facto been detonated in the intended manner. The primary identification data that is transferred as a radio signal through each electrically charged and activated ID transmitter unit 10: 1-10:n to the supervising computer system, is collected by the receiver 20. The data after sorting forms what will be referred to below as "secondary identification data". This secondary identification data is stored in the supervisory computer system 50. A detonation report is drawn up through the primary and the secondary identification data being compared, whereby it is checked that each ID transmitter unit 10:1-10:n that has been arranged in association with the charging has transmitted a signal that can be found in the digital secondary identification data that has been collected from the blasting operation by the receiver 20.

It should be understood in this section that a response from the ID transmitter unit 10:1 -10:n is received from those charges that have de facto been detonated, while a response will be lacking from any charges that have not been detonated in the intended manner, i.e. defective charges. The information to warn the personnel may be in the form of an audible signal that is determined through, for example, various types of signal depending on the blasting result that has been determined. As an example, it would be possible to use short tones in order to indicate a failed blasting operation, while a continuous signal would be able to indicate a successful blasting operation for which the danger has passed and all charges in the boreholes 2 have been detonated. Each ID transmitter unit 10:1-10:n has a unique ID number that may be based on a pre-determined code or transmission frequency. It is possible, naturally, that the unique ID number be connected to its geographical location in the pattern of charges in association with a charging report being drawn up during the preparations for the blasting operation of an ore body. It would be possible in this manner also to rapidly and efficiently locate the exact geographical location of a defective charge, and take suitable measures. Information about any undetonated charges is extremely important with respect to the risks of dealing with rock material that contains undetonated explosives.

Figure 2 shows an ID transmitter unit 10:1 to which, according to the invention, a radio transmitter 11 has been assigned that is arranged to transmit an identity (code or frequency) that has been determined in advance for the transmitter unit, a detonation sensor 12 that can detect a detonation through, for example, being deformed by the pressure wave that is formed and in this way to activate the ID transmitter unit to transmit its radio signal. It is conceivable also that detection may take place by other methods, such as, for example, the influence of heat that arises during a detonation. The ID transmitter unit 10:1 comprises in its basic configuration a condensor 14 in which an electrical voltage can be stored, and a controller 15 or switch that can control all operations in the ID transmitter unit with respect to the charging and discharging of the condensor 14. The ID transmitter unit 10:1 comprises physically a semiconductor chip that includes the arrangements described above and the sensor circuit arrangements for the storage of light energy and for the detection of detonations, whereby the combination is sealed in a suitable manner, for example designed as an adhesive label or enclosed within plastic material and provided with attachment means (not shown in the drawing) that are suitable for affixing to a detonator arrangement or in the close vicinity of such, in order to detect a detonation. In order to achieve the level of voltage that is required to power the radio transmitter 1 1 , it is appropriate that the ID transmitter unit comprise a number of solar cells 16 connected in series or, alternatively, also a DC/DC converter, with which the limited voltage stored in the condensor can be raised to a level that is sufficient to power the radio transmitter 1 1 .

Since the ID transmitter unit 10:1 remains electrically passive until the moment at which the salvo is fired, i.e. since the ID transmitter unit is not charged or activated until the very instant at which the relevant explosive charge 3 is detonated, a very simple unit is obtained that is very efficient in its use of energy. In particular, the risk of unintentional detonation of explosive is in this way minimised, since it is well known that batteries and equipment with active supply of power are not suitable to be used in the presence of explosives. The condensor 14, and thus also the ID transmitter unit 10: 1 , are charged when detonation occurs with an electrical voltage that has been obtained from a solar cell 16 that is charged with energy from the light 16a from the detonation. The detonation influences the detonation sensor 12 to complete a circuit through the switch 15, which circuit activates the ID transmitter unit 10:1 such that, with the aid of the electrical energy that is stored in the condensor 14, it transmits a radio signal with a specified frequency that can be collected by the receiver 20. As a result of being in the immediate vicinity of the detonation, at least one of the ID transmitter unit 10: 1 and the detonation sensor 12 that is located immediately next to the detonator arrangement 3 will be consumed.

Figure 3 shows how an ID transmitter unit 10:1 designed as an adhesive label or a label that has been sealed with a plastic covering can be applied to the explosive during the charging operation.

With reference to the block diagram that is shown in Figure 4, the arrangement described above functions in the following manner:

As a first initial step, an ID transmitter unit 10:1-10:n is arranged at each charge 3 in a borehole and a charging report with information about the identity of each ID transmitter unit is drawn up in association with this. It is conceivable that also geographical position for the relevant ID transmitter unit is specified in the charging report. The information in the charging report, which may in its simplest form be constituted by notes on a writing pad, thus constitutes primary identification data and can be transferred to the supervisory computer system 50 by being input into this system. The receiver 20 is placed at a distance from the charges in the boreholes 2 that has been so chosen that it allows radio transmission from the relevant ID transmitter unit 10:1-10:n but such that it prevents the receiver 20 being damaged by the pressure wave that arises when the salvo fires. When the salvo is fired, the condensor 14 that is a component of each ID transmitter unit 10:1-10:n is charged with electrical energy that is generated by the light that arises during the detonation. In addition to the said light, a pressure wave arises during the detonation that, by its influence on the detonation sensor, activates the ID transmitter unit 10:1 -10:n to transmit a radio signal with a determined frequency. The said radio signals 45 that are collected by the receiver 20 form secondary identification data that contains information at least about the identity code (ID code) for an ID transmitter unit 10:1 -10:n that has been consumed during the detonation of the explosive charge with which the ID transmitter unit has been associated. A detonation report is drawn up through the primary and the secondary identification data being compared, whereby it is checked that each ID transmitter unit 10:1-10:n that has been arranged in association with an explosive charge has transmitted a signal that can be found in the digital secondary identification data that has been collected from the blasting operation by the receiver. The detonation report is presented to the blasting personnel and, where relevant, other affected persons audiovisually through loudspeakers 61 or on a monitor 62.

The present invention is not limited to what has been described above or shown in the drawings: it can be changed and modified in several different ways within the scope of the innovative concept defined by the attached patent claims.

Claims

A method for the detection of the detonation of an explosive in association with mining or similar during the use of a radio based-system that includes not only one or several ID transmitter units (10:1-10:n) where each transmitter unit has a radio transmitter with an identification code (ID code) that has been determined in advance and that can be transmitted on the detection of a detonation, and where each transmitter unit is intended to be associated with the relevant explosive charge (3) in a borehole, but also a receiver unit (20) that is a component of the system and that, placed at a distance from the detonation, can receive a radio signal from each of the said transmitter units, characterised by the following operational steps:

a) that each ID transmitter unit (10:1-10:n) is arranged in such a manner that it is electrically passive and lacks any integral permanent source of power, b) that each ID transmitter unit (10:1-10:n) is arranged with an arrangement (12, 14, 15, 16) that can be charged with the required electrical energy and activated to transmit its identification code by using a part of the energy that is released during the detonation in order to power the radio transmitter,

c) that a report is drawn up before each blasting operation containing primary identification data consisting of information about the identity code of each ID transmitter unit (10:1 -10:n) that has been associated with a charge,

d) that after a blasting operation has been carried out a report is drawn up with secondary identification data consisting of signals (45) received in the receiver unit (20), the identification code of which signals from the relevant ID transmitter units constitutes a confirmation that the charge that has been associated with the same has been detonated.

The method according to claim 1 , whereby each ID transmitter unit (10:1-10:n) is charged with electrical energy by receiving and converting the light (16a) that arises during the detonation into electrical energy.

The method according to claim 1 , whereby each ID transmitter unit (10:1 -10:n) is activated to transmit its identification code through detecting the pressure wave that propagates during the detonation.

The method according to claim 1 , whereby a detonation report is drawn up after the blasting operation has been carried out in which the primary identification data in the form of an identification code (ID number) that has been associated with an ID transmitter unit (10:1-10:n) for a particular explosive charge before the blasting operation is checked against secondary identification data in the form of a signal with an identification code received from the relevant ID transmitter unit after the blasting operation.

5. The method according to claim 1 , whereby any one of the following means is used for the presentation of the detonation report that has been drawn up: a monitor (62), loudspeakers (61), or a combination of the said means.

An arrangement for the detection of the detonation of an explosive in association with mining or similar, including a radio signal-based system consisting not only of one or several ID transmitter units (10:1-10:n) where each transmitter unit has a radio transmitter with an identification code (ID code) that has been determined in advance and that can be transmitted on the detection of a detonation, where the transmitter unit is intended to be associated with the relevant explosive charge (3) in a borehole, but also a receiver unit (20) that is a component of the system and that, located at a distance from a detonation, can receive a radio signal (45) from each one of the said transmitter units, characterised in that each ID transmitter unit (10:1-10:n) comprises an energy-storage arrangement (14, 15, 16) that can be charged with the required electrical energy, a detonation sensor (12) that on detection of a detonation activates the ID transmitter unit to transmit its identification code (ID code) to the receiver (20) whereby not only the energy-storage arrangement but also the detonation sensor use a part of the energy that is released during the detonation to power the radio transmitter.

The arrangement according to claim 6, comprising a controller (15) or a switch that by its influence on the detonation sensor (12) controls the charging and discharging of the energy-storage arrangement (14, 15, 16).

The arrangement according to any one of claims 6-7, whereby the energy-storage arrangement comprises a condensor (14) and one or several solar cells (16) that are connected in series and electrically connected to the condensor, in which solar cells light (16a) from the detonation is collected and converted to electrical power that is delivered to the condensor.

9. The arrangement according to any one of claims 6-8, whereby the identification code comprises either identity data that is stored in a memory chip in the unit or a radio signal that is intended to be transmitted with a radio transmission frequency that is determined for each unit.

10. The arrangement according to any one of claims 6-9, comprising a supervisory computer system (50) that demonstrates a computer (51 ) that is in connection with the receiver unit (20) and in which computer identification codes from the said transmitter units (10:1-10:n) can be received and processed in order to draw up a detonation report, a presentation unit (60) with the aid of which the detonation report that has been drawn up can be presented, for example, audiovisually through loudspeakers (61 ) or visually on a monitor (62).

1 1. The arrangement according to claim 9, whereby the detonation report comprises a report that is based on comparisons between primary identification data including identification codes from ID transmitter units (10:1-10:n) that had been arranged before a blasting operation at the relevant charge in a borehole (2), and secondary identification data including confirmations of received signals (45) with identification codes from ID transmitter units (10:1 -10:n) that have been charged with energy and activated to transmit their information content during the blasting operation.

12. The arrangement according to any one of claims 6-1 1 , whereby the identification code that is transmitted from the radio transmitter can comprise any one of the following systems: RFID (radio frequency identification transponder), Bluetooth, Zigbee, Wi-Fi or NFC (near field communication).

13. The arrangement according to any one of claims 6-12, whereby each ID transmitter unit (10:1-10:n) with its associated energy-storage arrangement (14, 15, 16) and its detonation sensor form an integrated unit.

14. The arrangement according to claim 13, whereby the ID transmitter unit (10:1-10:n) is sealed in an appropriate manner, for example being enclosed within plastic material and designed as an adhesive label intended to be attached to a detonator arrangement or in the close vicinity to such, in order to detect a detonation.

15. A detonator arrangement intended to cause a salvo of explosives to detonate during mining or similar, characterised in that an energy-storage arrangement (14, 15, 16) and a detonation sensor (12) have been assigned to it that can, through a controller (15) or a switch, be placed in connection with a radio signal-based ID transmitter unit (10:1 - 10:n) that is electrically passive until the moment at which the charge is detonated whereby the ID transmitter unit, is, through the influence of energy from the detonation, charged with energy and activated to transmit an identification code that has been determined in advance and that can be collected by a radio receiver (20).

16. The use of an ID transmitter unit (10:1-10:n) of the type that is specified in claim 6 in combination with a detonator arrangement or an explosive salvo during mining or similar blasting operations.