WO2020000054A1

WO2020000054A1 - Mining method and mine

Info

Publication number: WO2020000054A1
Application number: PCT/AU2019/050686
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anthony James SPRAGUE
Original assignee: Newcrest Mining Limited
Priority date: 2018-06-29
Filing date: 2019-06-28
Publication date: 2020-01-02

Abstract

A mine and a mining method for an open pit mine operate with drill rigs, down- hole measurement vehicles, explosives delivery vehicles, and initiation system vehicles that can be operated by personnel in vehicle cabins or tele-remotely or can be operated autonomously so that it is not necessary for any mining personnel to walk on the pit floor.

Description

l

MINING METHOD AND MINE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method of drill and blast mining and to a mine.

The present invention relates particularly, although by no means exclusively, to a method of drill and blast mining a gold bearing ore and to a gold mine. It is noted that the invention is not confined to gold mining and extends to mining other ores containing valuable material.

BACKGROUND ART

The invention is described in the context of the Lihir mine in Papua New Guinea.

However, it is noted that the invention is not confined to the Lihir mine and the conditions in the mine and the invention extends generally to drill and blast mining operations.

The Lihir mine is in an extinct volcano.

The current mining operations comprise drilling and blasting sections of existing pits and then excavating the blasted sections and transferring the excavated ore to a nearby processing operation - crushing and pressure oxidative leaching and flotation.

Typically, the method includes the following steps in each mine section: drilling holes, typically 14 m deep, spaced apart, typically 5 m, taking temperature and temperature profile measurements and other measurements in the holes, taking ore samples from the holes for laboratory analysis, back-filling holes if the depths are too deep, and determining an optimum explosive, such as an optimum explosive emulsion mix for the hole, filling the holes with the explosive, and then stemming and detonating the holes. The existing pits have high temperature ground conditions that limit the options for explosives and detonators that can be used in the pits.

The current bulk emulsion explosive used at the Lihir mine has an operating temperature range up to 130 °C. There are also temperature limitations for current detonators - both remote and cord connected detonators.

In addition, the Lihir pits are unstable as a consequence of the geothermal conditions in the extinct volcano, and the mining operations are subject to geothermal geyser events when high temperature water in drilled holes is disturbed in some situations and geothermal eruptions/outbursts caused by trapped pockets of steam in the pit floor. There is a high level of unpredictability in these events.

Analysis of the geology of the Lihir mine indicates that the current challenging mining conditions caused by high ground temperatures and pit floor instability will increase as the mining depth increases in the current pits and in new pits that are under consideration/development.

The current mining operations at the Lihir mine, as described above, require mining personnel to be on the ground in and moving around pits carrying out various actions including, by way of example, drilling holes for explosives, taking drill hole measurements, sampling material removed in the process of drilling holes, delivering explosives and detonators into holes, and stemming holes.

It is apparent from the above that having personnel on the ground in pits in the Lihir mine represents a challenge from an operational perspective.

The invention is concerned with minimizing operational risk at the Lihir mine.

The above description is not an admission of the common general knowledge in Australia and elsewhere.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices, and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, a limited number of the exemplary methods, devices, and materials are described herein. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The applicant has carried out a project that has resulted in the development of customized vehicles and a method of mining and a mine that makes it possible to operate the Lihir mine with no mining personnel having to walk on the ground in the mine pits.

The personnel can carry out all of the required mining operations while within vehicle cabins or a tele-remote operating center. Alternatively, the vehicles can be operated autonomously. The project has also resulted in the development of a mine with the customized vehicles operating in accordance with the mining method.

In general terms, the mine and the mining method of the invention are an open pit mine based on a drill and blast mining method, with selected blocks of a pit being drilled and blasted with an explosive, and with excavators loading blasted ore into haul trucks that transport the ore to downstream processing operations.

In general terms, the mine and the mining method of the invention use the following equipment: drill rigs, down-hole measurement vehicles, explosives delivery vehicles, and initiation system vehicles.

These vehicles operate in accordance with the invention to drill holes for the explosive in a section of a pit, check whether the drilled holes meet specifications for the holes, make modifications to holes to meet specifications, deliver the explosive, such as an emulsion explosive, to the holes, position boosters for initiating explosions of the explosive into the holes, and initiate the boosters in the plurality of holes and blast the section of the pit.

Typically, the down-hole measurement vehicles, the explosives delivery vehicles, and the initiation system vehicles are purpose-built in accordance with the invention so that the vehicles can be operated by personnel in vehicle cabins or tele remotely or can be operated autonomously so that it is not necessary for any mining personnel to walk on the pit floor. As a consequence, there is less likelihood of interruptions to mining operations due to unpredictable conditions in the mine and greater safety for mine personnel.

In broad terms, the invention provides a method of mining an ore containing a valuable material in a pit that includes the following steps:

(a) positioning a drill rig in a first location in a section of the pit;

(b) drilling a hole for an explosive at the first location;

(c) moving the drill rig to one or more successive locations in the section of the pit and repeating step (b) at each location until a required number of holes have been drilled in the section of the pit;

(d) positioning a down-hole measurement vehicle in a first location in the

section of the pit and taking measurements, such as temperature, hole depth and hole diameter, in at least one drilled hole within an operating range for the vehicle while the vehicle is stationary, with a vehicle operator being located in a cabin of the vehicle or at a remote location or with the vehicle being operated autonomously,

(e) moving the down-hole measurement vehicle to one or more successive locations in the section of the pit and taking measurements in at least one drilled hole within the operating range for the vehicle at each location while the vehicle is stationary, with the vehicle operator being located in the vehicle cabin or at the remote location or with the vehicle being operated autonomously,

(f) positioning an explosives delivery vehicle in a first location in the section of the pit and delivering an explosive, such as an emulsion explosive, to a required depth into at least one drilled hole within an operating range for the vehicle while the vehicle is stationary, with a vehicle operator being located in a cabin of the vehicle or at a remote location or with the vehicle being operated autonomously;

(g) moving the explosives delivery vehicle to one or more successive locations in the section of the pit and delivering an explosive, such as an emulsion explosive, to at least one drilled hole within the operating range for the vehicle at each location while the vehicle is stationary, with the vehicle operator being located in the vehicle cabin or at the remote location or with the vehicle being operated autonomously,

(h) positioning an initiation system vehicle in a first location in the section of the pit and positioning a booster for initiating an explosion of an explosive into at least one drilled hole within an operating range for the vehicle while the vehicle is stationary, with a vehicle operator being located in a cabin of the vehicle or at a remote location or with the vehicle being operated autonomously; and

(i) moving the initiation system vehicle to one or more successive locations in the section of the pit and delivering a booster into at least one drilled hole within the operating range for the vehicle at each location while the vehicle is stationary, with the vehicle operator being located in the vehicle cabin or at the remote location or with the vehicle being operated autonomously, and

(j) continuing steps (a) to (i) until the drilled holes are filled with the explosive and the boosters are located in the holes; and

(k) actuating the boosters in the holes and initiating explosions of the explosive in the holes and blasting the section of the pit.

The method may comprise excavating blasted ore and transporting the excavated ore from the pit.

The method may comprise modifying a hole, such as by back-filling or increasing the depth of the hole to an extent, having regard to the measurements taken by the down-the-hole vehicle, before supplying explosives to the hole.

The method may comprise taking further down-hole measurements from the modified hole after making hole modifications and before supplying explosives to the hole. The method may comprise operating each of the drill rig, the explosives delivery vehicle, and the initiation system vehicle in a predetermined sequence in the section of the pit. Steps (d) and (e) may include sensing and analysing data relating to each drilled hole, with the data including any one or more than one of temperature, hole depth and hole diameter.

Typically, the method comprises delivering the explosive to the holes via the explosives delivery vehicle in the order that the drill rig drills the holes. The method is not confined to this option, and the method may comprise delivering the explosive to the holes via the explosives delivery vehicle in any suitable order.

Typically, the method comprises delivering the boosters to the holes via the initiation system vehicle after the holes have been filled with the explosive in the order that the drill rig drills the holes. It is noted that the invention extends to delivering the boosters to the holes via the initiation system vehicle in any suitable order. It is also noted that the invention extends to a reverse sequence in which the method comprises delivering the boosters to the holes via the initiation system vehicle before the holes have been filled with the explosive or in any other suitable sequence.

The term“booster” as used herein is understood to refer to a detonation device typically containing a small charge of explosive material that can be located in a blast hole for the purpose of initiating an explosion of an explosive, such as a bulk explosives material, in the blast hole. In a situation where the booster contains an explosive material, the explosive material may be a charge of liquid or solid explosive of a fixed quantity that is calculated to detonate a fixed volume of explosive emulsion (or other suitable form of explosive formulation) within a primed drilled hole in a pit floor.

The method may comprise picking up the boosters successively from a storage unit of the initiation system vehicle that stores a plurality of the boosters and placing the boosters in a delivery position of the initiation system vehicle that is above the hole.

The booster may be part of a booster assembly that comprises in co-axial alignment:

(a) the booster;

(b) a spool and a detonation cord wrapped around the spool and connected to the spool and to the booster, with the spool being provided for allowing the detonation cord to be unwound from the spool as the booster is moved from a storage position outside the hole to an operative position in the hole and the spool remains in the storage position; and

(c) a stake for locating the spool in the pit floor proximate the hole after the booster is in the operative position in the hole,

with an end of the spool being formed to receive and locate an end of the booster such that the booster is seated on the spool when the booster assembly is in an upright orientation in the storage position before moving the booster to the operative position in the hole.

With this arrangement, the method may comprise picking up the booster assembly from the storage unit of the initiation system vehicle that stores a plurality of the booster assemblies and placing the booster assemblies in an intermediate position between the storage unit and the delivery position and then moving the booster to the delivery position and retaining the spool and the stake at the intermediate position.

The method may comprise delivering each booster via gravitational force from the delivery position downwardly through the explosive in the hole to the required depth in the hole.

The method may comprise applying a downwardly-acting force to move the booster through the explosive in the hole downwardly to the required depth in the hole.

The downwardly acting force may be a downward force applied via a pusher element to the booster to drive the booster into the hole.

The downwardly acting force may be a consequence of the weight of the pusher element and the booster.

The loading assembly may be formed so that the booster can move

downwardly via a gravitational force pulling the booster into the hole to the operative depth.

The method may be focused on the use of one vehicle type, such as an initiation system vehicle that is constructed so that a vehicle operator can be located in the vehicle cabin or at a remote location or so that the vehicle can be operated autonomously.

For example, the method may be defined as a mining method that is characterised by positioning the initiation system vehicle in a required location in a section of a pit, with the vehicle operator being located in the vehicle cabin or at the remote location or with the vehicle being operated autonomously.

In broad terms, the invention also provides an operating mining pit in which an ore containing a valuable material is mined in a section of the pit and includes:

(a) a drill rig operating in the section of the pit and drilling a plurality of holes for an explosive;

(b) a down-hole measurement vehicle operating in the section of the pit and taking measurements in at least one drilled hole within an operating range for the vehicle while the vehicle is stationary, with a vehicle operator located in a cabin of the vehicle or at a remote location or with the vehicle operating autonomously, and the vehicle moving within the section of the pit and taking measurements in other drilled holes in the section;

(c) an explosives delivery vehicle operating in the section of the pit and

delivering an explosive, such as an emulsion explosive, to required depths into at least one drilled hole within an operating range for the vehicle while the vehicle is stationary, with a vehicle operator located in a cabin of the vehicle or at a remote location or with the vehicle operating autonomously, and the vehicle moving within the section of the pit and delivering explosives to other drilled holes in the section;

(d) an initiation system vehicle operating in the section of the pit and positioning a booster having an explosion initiator, such as a detonator, into at least one drilled hole within an operating range for the vehicle while the vehicle is stationary, with a vehicle operator located in a cabin of the vehicle or at a remote location or with the vehicle operating autonomously, and the vehicle moving within the section of the pit and positioning boosters in other drilled holes in the section; and

(e) an explosives initiation system that initiates explosions of explosives in the holes and blasts the section of the pit. The pit also includes an excavator that excavates blasted ore in the section of the pit and haul trucks or other apparatus that transport excavated ore from the pit.

The drill rig may be any suitable drill rig.

The down-hole measurement vehicle may be any suitable vehicle. For example, the vehicle may be a modified tray vehicle. By way of further example, the vehicle may be a modified wheeled excavator platform.

The down-hole measurement vehicle may include (a) a sensor array that includes a plurality of sensors, (b) a boom that supports the sensor array and is configured to be extended from an inboard position to an outboard position to position the sensor array above one or more drilled holes, and (c) an assembly that includes a cable reel and a cable connected at one end to the cable reel and at the other end to the sensor array that is configured to lower the sensor array into drilled holes and to retrieve the sensor array from drilled holes.

The down-hole measurement vehicle may include (a) a sensor array that includes a plurality of sensors, (b) a boom that supports the sensor array and can pivot around an axis so that the boom can move around an arc and can be extended radially between an inboard position and an outboard position so that the sensor array can be positioned above one or more drilled holes in the area described by the possible pivotal and radial movement of the boom, and (c) an assembly that includes a cable reel and a cable connected at one end to the cable reel and at the other end to the sensor array that is configured to lower the sensor array into drilled holes and to retrieve the sensor array from drilled holes.

The explosives delivery vehicle may be any suitable vehicle.

The initiation system vehicle may be any suitable vehicle.

By way of example, the initiation system vehicle may be the vehicle described in an a PCT application entitled“A Mining Vehicle” lodged in the name of the applicant on 29 June 2019, and the disclosure in the PCT specification is incorporated herein by cross-reference. to

The initiation system vehicle may comprise:

(a) a storage assembly for storing a plurality of the boosters;

(b) a loading assembly for (i) supporting the booster in a delivery position

above the hole and (ii) moving the booster downwardly into the hole and inserting the booster at an operative depth in the hole; and

(c) a delivery assembly for transporting the booster from the storage assembly to the delivery position of the loading assembly. The loading assembly may comprise a pusher element for applying a downwardly-acting force to move the booster into the hole to the operative depth.

The downwardly acting force may be a consequence of the weight of the pusher element and the booster resulting in a gravitational force pulling the booster into the hole to the operative depth. The booster may be any suitable booster.

The booster may be a part of a booster assembly that comprises in co-axial alignment:

(a) the booster;

(c) a stake for locating the spool in the pit floor proximate the hole after the booster is in the operative position in the hole; and

with an end of the spool being formed to receive and locate an end of the booster such that the booster is seated on the spool when the booster assembly is in an upright orientation in the storage position before moving the booster to the operative position in the hole. With this arrangement, the delivery assembly is operable for transporting the booster assembly to an intermediate position between the storage unit and the delivery position and for then moving the booster to the delivery position and retaining the spool and the stake at the intermediate position.

The booster assembly may be any suitable assembly.

By way of example, the booster assembly may be as described in a PCT application entitled“A Booster Assembly” lodged in the name of the applicant on 29 June 2019, and the disclosure in the PCT specification is incorporated herein by cross- reference.

The drill rig, the down-hole measurement vehicle, the explosives delivery vehicle, and the initiation system vehicle make it possible to insert boosters into holes without an operator having to stand on the floor of the pit.

The ore may be a gold-bearing ore.

The ore may be any other ore that contains a valuable material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described further by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a diagram that illustrates one embodiment of a mine and one embodiment of a mining method in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a down-hole measurement vehicle for the mine shown in Figure 1 in an inoperative position;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the crane of the down-hole measurement vehicle shown in Figure 2 in an operative position with a boom of a mobile arm of the crane in an extended position and a temperature measurement probe at the end of the boom ready to be winched into a drilled hole; Figure 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an explosives delivery vehicle for the mine shown in Figure 1 in an inoperative position; Figure 5 is a top view of the explosives delivery vehicle shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is another perspective view of the explosives delivery vehicle shown in Figure 4; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the explosives delivery vehicle shown in

Figure 4 in an operative position;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a booster assembly for the mine shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 9 is a side view of the booster assembly shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a vertical cross-section of the booster assembly shown in Figure 9; Figure 11 is a perspective view of the booster assembly shown in Figure 8, with the booster of the assembly lifted clear of the spool and the stake of the assembly;

Figure 12 is a vertical cross-section of the booster assembly shown in Figure

11 ;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an initiation system vehicle for the mine shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 14 is another perspective view of the initiation system vehicle of Figure 13;

Figure 15 is another perspective view of the initiation system vehicle of Figure 13 from another viewing direction to that of Figure 14; and Figure 16 is a perspective view of the initiation system vehicle of Figure 13 in an operative position delivering a booster from the storage assembly to the loading assembly. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

The embodiment of the mine and the mining method illustrated in Figure 1 is described in the context of the Lihir mine and mining gold-bearing ore in the mine.

It is noted that the invention is not confined to the Lihir mine and the conditions in the mine.

It is also noted that the invention is not confined to gold mining.

The invention extends to mining generally.

Mine and Mining Method

Figure 1 is a diagram that illustrates one embodiment of a mine and one embodiment of a mining method in accordance with the invention. The upper left-hand panel of Figure 1 illustrates a section of a mine bench 100 in an open pit 112 to be drilled and blasted. The Figure illustrates a plurality of drilled holes 90 for receiving an explosive that can be detonated to blast a block of the bench 100.

The number, arrangement and depth of the drill holes 90 is not part of the invention. The invention relates to any suitable number, arrangement and depth of drill holes 90.

The remainder of Figure 1 is a series of images that form a diagrammatic flowsheet 100 of the embodiment of the method of mining gold-bearing ore in the open pit 112 in accordance with the invention.

In general terms, the embodiment of the mine and the mining method shown in Figure 1 is an open pit mine operating on a drill and blast basis, with selected blocks of the mine pit being drilled to form a plurality of blast holes as shown in the upper left- hand panel of Figure 1 that are filled with bulk explosives that are detonated to blast the block, and with excavators (not shown) loading blasted ore into haul trucks (not shown), and with the haul trucks transporting the ore to downstream processing operations.

It is noted that the excavators and the haul trucks are not part of the concept of the invention and are not described in detail in the specification. The excavators and the haul trucks may be any suitable vehicles. In general terms, the embodiment of the mine shown in Figure 1 operates with the following equipment: drill rigs 116, a down-hole measurement vehicle 120, an explosives delivery vehicle 130, and an initiation system vehicle 140. The down-hole measurement vehicle 120, the explosives delivery vehicle 130, and the initiation system vehicle 140 are purpose-built vehicles in accordance with the invention so that the vehicles can be operated by personnel in vehicle cabins or tele-remotely so that it is not necessary for any mining personnel to walk on the pit floor. The invention also extends to embodiments in which the above-described vehicles operate autonomously. As a consequence, there is less likelihood of interruptions to operations due to unpredictable conditions in the mine and greater safety for mine personnel.

In general terms, the embodiment of the mining method shown in Figure 1 comprise the following steps: drilling holes 90 for explosives, sensing and analysing data relating to the drilled holes 90 (such as the dimensions and temperature), making adjustments to the holes 90 as may be required to comply with specifications, filling the holes 90 with a bulk explosive emulsion (not shown), inserting a booster for initiating an explosion of the bulk explosives in each hole 90, stemming each hole 90 for example with rocks or gel formulations or other non-rock options, and connecting the detonation cords of the booster in each hole 90 to an initiation control system for initiating explosions in the plurality of the holes 90.

It is noted that the method of the invention extends to situations in which the boosters 65 are inserted into the holes 90 prior to the introduction of the explosive emulsion. More particularly, the embodiment of the mining method shown in Figure 1 comprises the following steps:

1. Positioning a drill rig 116 in a first location in a section of the pit 112.

2 Drilling a hole 90 for explosives at the first location.

3 Moving the drill rig 116 to a second and successive locations in the section of the pit 112 and repeating step (b) at each location until a required number of holes 90 have been drilled.

4 Positioning the down-hole measurement vehicle 120 in a first location in the section of the pit 112 and taking measurements in a drilled hole or holes within an operating range for the vehicle while the vehicle is stationary, with a vehicle operator being located in a cabin of the vehicle or at a remote location or with the vehicle being operated autonomously. The measurements include geothermal sampling of one or more of the drill holes 114 - for example, every 20^th hole.

5 Moving the down-hole measurement vehicle 120 to a second and

successive locations in the section of the pit 112 and taking measurements in a drilled hole or holes 90 within the operating range for the vehicle at each location while the vehicle is stationary, with the vehicle operator being located in the vehicle cabin or at the remote location or with the vehicle being operated autonomously.

6. Positioning the explosives delivery vehicle 130 in a first location in the

section of the pit 112 and delivering a bulk explosive, such as an emulsion explosive, to a required depth into a drilled hole or holes 90 within an operating range for the vehicle while the vehicle is stationary, with a vehicle operator being located in a cabin of the vehicle or at a remote location or with the vehicle being operated autonomously.

7. Moving the explosives delivery vehicle 130 to a second and successive locations in the section of the pit 112 and delivering a bulk explosive, such as an emulsion explosive, to a drilled hole or holes 90 within the operating range for the vehicle at each location while the vehicle is stationary, with the vehicle operator being located in the vehicle cabin or at the remote location or with the vehicle being operated autonomously.

8. Positioning the initiation system vehicle 140 in a first location in the section of the pit and positioning a booster 65 into a drilled hole or into each of the drilled holes 90 within an operating range for the initiation system vehicle while the initiation system vehicle is stationary, with a vehicle operator being located in a cabin 3 of the initiation system vehicle or at a remote location or with the initiation system vehicle being operated autonomously.

9 Moving the initiation system vehicle 140 to a second and successive

locations in the section of the pit and delivering boosters 65 to a drilled hole or holes 90 within the operating range for the initiation system vehicle at each location while the initiation system vehicle is stationary, with the vehicle operator being located in the cabin 3 or at the remote location or with the vehicle being operated autonomously, and

10. Actuating the boosters 65 and initiating the explosives in the holes and

blasting the block of the section of the pit.

The following description relates to embodiments of the equipment in the mine shown in Figure 1 and the use of that equipment in the mine. It is noted that the invention is not confined to these embodiments of the equipment or the methods of use.

Drill rig - Figure 1

The drill rig shown in Figure 1 is a standard drill ring. Any suitable drill rig may be used.

Down-hole measurement vehicle - Figures 2 and 3

The down-hole measurement vehicle (DHMV) is a vehicle-mounted

temperature probe 6 which allows operators to deploy the probe 6 into drilled holes and measure the temperature within the drilled holes, whilst remaining within the confines of the DHMV cabin. The DHMV allows the probe to be winched down a drill hole, recording temperatures as it goes, and once the bottom of the hole is reached, return to the surface.

The components which make up the DHMV are as follows:

1. A mobile arm (crane 1) for locational deployment of the probe. The crane 1 includes an upright post 102 and a boom 104 that extends from the post. The crane 1 can be rotated about an upright axis of the post 102 and the boom 104 can be extended and retracted longitudinally. The crane 1 also includes a support assembly that includes spaced-apart retractable legs 106 that allow the orientation of the crane 1 to be adjusted as required. The boom 104 can be folded into a storage position (not shown). The crane 1 is remotely driven from a control panel in the DHMV cabin or from a control panel 7 on the tray of the DHMV.

2. A winch 5 and a fairlead, allowing feeding and retracting of the probe cable to extend the probe 6 into and from drilled holes.

3. The above-mentioned temperature probe 6 or other probes for measuring other parameters of drilled holes.

4. An optional additional temperature monitoring camera (IR camera 4).

5. An electrical cabinet 3 and the above-mentioned control panel 7 on the tray of the DHMV.

6. The cabin-mounted control panel.

7. Emergency stop x3 (on crane, on exterior control panel and in-cab).

The DHMV provides the following functions:

1. An ability to select the position of probe deployment by extending/retracting and rotating the mobile arm.

2. An ability to raise/lower the probe 6 using the winch.

3. An ability to measure and record the temperature inside a drilled hole

throughout probe descent into the hole.

4. Provision of thermal imaging output to facilitate visualisation of temperatures.

5. An ability to safely and securely stow the probe 6 when not in use.

The DHMV has the following systems:

1. Crane hydraulic system.

2. Winch hydraulic motor.

a. Maximum Output Power (continuous) = 2.4 kW

3. Crane specification - typical only

a. Lifting height = 6.27m

b. Slewing angle = 322°

c. Height of crane base above ground = 1072mm

d. Gross slewing torque = 3 kNm

e. Slewing speed = 197s

f. Height in folded position = 2.5 m

g. Total Weight = 192kg (crane) + 173kg (Electrical Cabinet) = 365kg 4. Winch specification - typical only

a. Motor speed = 329 RPM

b. Maximum Winch Speed = 56 m/min

c. Calibrated Winch Speed = 30m/min

d. Maximum lifting mass = 265 kg

5. Probe specification - typical only

a. Material: Stainless Steel

b. Functions:

i. Temperature measurement: 0°C to 150°C

ii. Water detection: Electrical Circuit Detection through Liquids

6. Camera specification - typical only

a. 24V Outdoor Pan and Tilt Unit

i. Pan Range = 0° to 360° continuous

b. Operating Temperature = -35°C to 65°C

c. Mass = 20kg.

d. Maximum Load = 50kg.

e. FLIR compact IP Thermography Camera.

i. 640 x 512 pixel resolution @30Hz.

ii. Object Temperature Measurement Range = -25°C to +135°C. iii. Power over Ethernet (PoE).

One embodiment of a method of operating the DHMV is as follows:

1. Place the DHMV on a flat and firm surface.

2. Engage the parking brake to ensure that the DHMV stays in its position.

3. Ensure that the DHMV is running. Typically, the crane 1 draws power from the vehicle’s battery and if it is operated for a prolonged period of time with the engine off, the battery could run flat.

4. Position the crane 1 in relation to a drilled hole using lever commands as

required to adjust the retractable legs 106 and rotate the boom 104 about the upright axis of the post 102 and extend the boom 104 longitudinally.

5. Once the crane operation is completed, retract the boom completely and lower the crane into the storage position (not shown).

6. Lift up the stabiliser legs 106 and fix them in the transport position (not shown). 7. During automatic mode, when the probe 6 reaches the Estimated Depth, the unit will reduce to the slow speed (if fast speed down is selected within settings).

By way of example of the functionality of the DHMV in relation to one parameter, one embodiment of the temperature measurement process with the DHMV is as follows:

1. Either enter the Surface Temperature value manually or use a joystick on the HMI control panel 4 to move the infrared camera to point at the surface of the hole and press the read surface temperature button.

2. Set the required sample interval.

3. Ensure the home position and zero position are set correctly.

4. Once the probe 6 has been started in automatic mode, it will descend into the hole at low speed or high speed, depending on menu selection for speed. If low speed down is selected in the settings menu. If fast speed down is selected, the probe 6 will descend at the fast speed until reaching the estimated depth, and then will reduce to the slow speed. While descending, the probe will take samples of temperature and water detection at each interval (as selected in step 2). These intervals are the interval distance selected by the operator.

5. The operator needs to press a“Hole Bottom” button on the control panel when the probe has reached the bottom of the hole.

6. Whether the hole bottom has been reached can be determined in 3 ways: a. Estimated Depth - once a certain depth is reached. This will not

accurately determine that the hole bottom has been reached.

b. Slack Cable Alarm - The unit will show a slack cable alarm if the winch feeds out cable, and the probe is trying to be lowered into a hard surface (i.e. the ground, the bottom of the hole, etc.). If the probe is being lowered down the hole, and the Slack Cable Alarm is triggered, this can be caused by either the probe being at the bottom of the hole, or the probe being stuck on the walls of the hole, some distance into the hole. If the probe is near the estimated hole bottom, and the Slack Cable Alarm is triggered, it is very likely that this is the bottom of the hole, and so the Hole Bottom button can be pressed.

c. Visually - When the cable hits the bottom of the hole and goes slack, the cable will show this by no longer being taut, which will be displayed visibly. When this visual indication is seen, again if the probe is near the estimated hole depth, the Hole Bottom button can be pressed.

7. Once the Hole Bottom button has been pressed, the probe 6 will start to be retracted out of the hole. The speed will be at low speed, if low speed up is selected in the settings menu. If fast speed up is selected in the settings menu, the probe will descend at the fast speed, until just before reaching (distance set in settings) the zero position, and then will reduce to the slow speed. Once the probe reaches zero, the probe will stop.

8. When the probe 6 is stopped at the zero position, the data from the hole is recorded and stored. The auto-mode is then stopped, with the hole being completed. The hole number and the sample number are also incremented by 1.

9. Move onto the next hole and initiate another hole auto-sample as required. The manual mode provides an operator the ability to use the remote control joystick to directly operate the winch. This is supplied to give the operator an additional level of flexibility during operation.

A mode has been provided to allow an operator direct manual control of the winch. This screen offers no logging functionality, instead just allowing the operator to run the winch up, and down, as required.

The probe cable will need to be replaced at times and can be disengaged from the winch for replacement.

On the unit with the Infrared Camera, the camera can be operated

independently to the rest of the system.

At any time, the cameras Pan/Tilt functionality can be controlled with the joystick mounted on the HMI enclosure. This joystick moves the camera with forward tilting down, backwards tilting back and left/right panning as required. The camera screen, if in thermal imaging mode (HDMI input) will show what the camera is currently displaying. At any time, by pressing the button on the joystick, the camera will take a snapshot of the image, and will save this image to the USB drive in the electrical cabinet. This can also be achieved by pressing the Save Camera Image button on the main menu screen.

The infrared camera screen provides a number of temperature values shown on the screen.

First, it shows the range of temperatures on the screen, from lowest to highest, as a colour scale on the right of the screen.

Secondly, it shows some key information on the bottom right corner, including maximum temperature of the screen, as well as maximum temperature of the centre square.

It also provides GPS details as well as date/time.

The DHMV has a PRB limit alarm. The PRB Limit is a hard limit that is placed on the cable/probe. The purpose of the PRB limit is to protect the probe from impacting with the boom and the pulley. This ensures the safety and on-going health of the pulley, the probe and the cable.

The DHMV also has a slack cable alarm. If the probe 6 is lowered onto a surface, the winch 5 normally would keep trying to lower the probe 6, and instead of the probe 6 lowering, the cable would become untightened from the drum. An alarm has been developed to ensure this does not occur.

While the winch 5 is lowering, if a cable speed is not detected as the winch 5 is turning, the Reel Slack Alarm is triggered. This alarm will stop the winch from being used to further lower the probe. The alarm has a delayed time on it (settable within the settings screen) which allows some time prior to the alarm being initiated upon start up, as well as requiring the speed to read 0.0 m/min for a longer period of time prior to triggering the alarm. The DHMV has a“winch stall mode”. In this mode, when the winch is retracting, and retrieving the probe 6, there is the possibility that the probe 6 will become caught on something. This would lead to the winch stalling as it is unable to retract with the attached probe.

In this scenario, the fairlead may continue to move, becoming misaligned with the winch 5. To alleviate this issue, the fairlead is held in-place to account for the stalled winch 5. When the winch 5 is retracting, and a speed of 0.0 m/min is detected for a period of time (settable within the settings screen), the fairlead will go into a Winch Stall mode. This will not be seen by the operator, but the fairlead will oscillate in the same place, ensuring that it does not become misaligned. When the system detects a cable speed again, the fairlead will automatically stop oscillating and will continue in its original direction.

The DHMV has two methods of data exportation. The first is data export to USB, the second is data export to server. The data will be transferred onto the USB drive as a CSV file.

The DHMV operates in accordance with the following procedure.

After travelling, the probe 5 will be resting in its parking position. To deploy the probe, moving it into position for use, the following steps should be taken.

1. Ensure the boom 104 is not tied down and nothing is impeding its ability to

move.

2. Power up the boom 104 and the DHMV system.

3. Use the controller to lift the boom 104 directly vertically. As the boom lifts, the probe 6 will slide up a ramp and will remove itself from a probe holder.

4. Continue raising the boom 104 until the probe 6 is free-hanging and the bottom of the probe 6 is higher than the top of the probe holder.

5. Slew the crane outwards until the temperature probe has cleared the ute tray.

6. Switch the DHMV to Manual Winch Control.

7. Run the winch 5 out so that it provides some slack, the winch cable will lose slack, eventually pulling tight against the PRB Limit. 8. Continue to run the winch out and push the boom 104 out until the desired boom length is achieved.

9. Slew the boom 104 around to be in the required deployment position. Operate the DHMV as normal.

Explosives delivery vehicle - Figures 4-7

The Emulsion Delivery Vehicle (EDV) 130 is a vehicle mounted tank and delivery arm which allows operators to deploy the emulsion within drilled holes, whilst remaining within the confines of the vehicle cabin. The EDV 130 allows the emulsion explosive to be delivered into multiple drilled holes without moving the vehicle.

The components which make up the EDV 130 are as follows:

1. A prime mover 52.

2. A mobile arm (crane 54) for supporting and facilitating locating an emulsion explosive feed hose. The crane 54 includes an upright post 102 and a boom 104 that extends from the post 102. The crane 1 can be rotated about an upright axis of the post 102 and the boom 104 can be extended and retracted longitudinally. The crane 54 is remotely driven from cab.

3. A winch and fairlead mounted to the arm allowing feeding and retracting of a feed hose for delivering the emulsion into the hole.

4. An emulsion storage tank 58.

5. Electrical cabinet and exterior control panel and a cabin-mounted control panel.

6. Cameras.

7. Emergency stop to cut the emulsions feed.

The EDV 130 provides the following functions:

1. The ability to deliver bulk quantities of explosive emulsion product (DX5030S - 150°C at 12 hours sleep time) to the working mine.

2. The ability to raise/lower, extend and slew the boom to fill a predetermined drill hole/s.

3. The ability to sample emulsion flow in-line and cut-off emulsion feed the hoses throughout the filling process.

4. Provision of a camera -thermal imaging.

5. The ability to be operated entirely from within the cab (nil on foot).

The features of the EDV systems are as follows: 1. Winch hydraulic motor

2. Movable/telescopic boom - typical only

a. Lifting height = 6.27m

b. Slewing angle = 322°

c. Height of crane base above ground = 1072mm

d. Gross slewing torque = 3 kNm

e. Slewing speed = 19 7s

f. Height in folded position = 2.5 m

g. Total Weight = 192kg (crane) + 173kg (Electrical Cabinet) = 365kg

3. Winch specification - typical only

a. Motor speed = 329 RPM

b. Maximum Winch Speed = 56 m/min

c. Calibrated Winch Speed = 30m/min

d. Maximum lifting mass = 265 kg

4. Tank specification - typical only

a. Material:

5. Camera specification - typical only

a. 24V Outdoor Pan and Tilt Unit

i. Pan Range = 0° to 360° continuous

ii. Operating Temperature = -35°C to 65°C

iii. Mass = 20kg

iv. Maximum Load = 50kg

b. FLIR compact IP Thermography Camera

i. 640 x 512-pixel resolution @30Hz

ii. Object Temperature Measurement Range = -25°C to +135°C iii. Power over Ethernet (PoE)

The method of using the EDV is as follows:

1. Place the EDV 130 on a flat and firm surface.

2. Secure vehicle in position.

3. Position the boom in an operative configuration using the lever commands to align the feed hose with an empty drill hole.

4. Release dose of emulsion.

5. Retract the boom completely or slew to move hose to an alternative drill hole

6. Retract and lower the boom into a stowed configuration.

7. Move the EDV to new fill location. The infrared camera screen provides a number of temperature values shown on the screen.

It also provides GPS details as well as date/time.

Booster assembly - Figures 8-12

With reference to Figure 8, one embodiment of a booster assembly 60 of the invention comprises the following co-axially-aligned components:

(a) a booster 65,

(b) a spool 63 and a detonation cord 66 (not shown) wrapped around the spool and connected to the spool 63 and to the booster 65, and

(c) a stake 61 connected to the spool 63,

with an upper end of the spool 63 (as viewed in the Figures) being formed to receive and locate a lower end of the booster 65 (as viewed in the Figures) such that the booster 65 is positively docked with the spool 63 when the booster assembly is in an upright orientation and can be released from the spool 63 and moved independently of the spool 63.

Each of the booster 65, the spool 63, and the stake 61 may be any suitable dimensions and made from any suitable materials.

As can best be seen in Figures 10 and 12, the booster 65 contains a large internal cavity 73 for storing a liquid explosive 81 , such as Powermite Thermo™ explosive.

A base 74 of the booster 65 is a bullnose shape that in use cooperates with an engagement recess 67 extending into the spool 63 from an upper end (as viewed in the Figures) and forms a booster dock 69 in the spool 63. The connection between the recess 67 of the spool 63 and the bullnose end 74 of the booster 65 is a push fit: tight enough to support and connect the spool 63 and the booster 65 but easily separated.

The spool 63 has a central neck 63a around which the detonation cord 66 (not shown in Figures 8 to 12) is wound for storage. A tie-off slot 68 (see Figures 9 and 11) is located on the spool 63 and is used to secure a free end (not shown) of the detonation cord 66.

As can best be seen in Figures 10 and 12, the spool 63 also includes a central cavity 91 extending axially into the spool 63 from a lower end of the spool 63 (as viewed in the Figures) that receives and locates an upper section of the stake 61.

The stake 61 has an elongate shank 75 and a pointed end 77 and is a robust structure for anchoring the spool 63 and attached detonation cord 66 to the pit floor 91 proximate a stemmed hole in preparation for tie-in.

The stake 61 is connected to the spool 63 so that the spool 63 and the stake 61 are movable as a unit. The spool 63 and the stake 61 may be separately formed as two components that are connected together. The shank 75 of the stake 61 is received in the cavity 91 of the spool 63 and supported via bearings 87 so that the spool 63 can rotate about a central axis of the shank 75 and thereby, in use facilitate the detonation cord unwinding from the spool 63 as the booster 65 is positioned in the hole 90 in the pit floor 91.

The head of the spool 63 and the head of the booster 65 have the same neck profile 71 so that the spool 63 and the boosters 65 can cooperate with a gripping mechanism (not shown) of a delivery assembly of the initiation system vehicle 140.

The spool 63 and the booster 65 have the same-shaped recess 67 to allow a pusher 41 of a delivery assembly of the initiation system vehicle 140 to separately engage with the spool 63 and the booster 65.

Initiation system vehicle - Figures 13-16

The initiation system vehicle 140 shown in Figures 13-16 comprises: (a) a storage assembly 10 for storing a plurality of the booster assemblies 60;

(b) a loading assembly 30 for (i) supporting the booster 65 of the booster

assembly 60 in a delivery position above the hole 90 and (ii) moving the booster 65 downwardly into the hole and inserting the booster 65 at an operative depth in the hole 90; and

(c) a delivery assembly 20 for transporting the booster 65 from the storage assembly 10 to the loading assembly 30.

The initiation system vehicle 140 comprises the storage assembly 10, the delivery assembly 20, and the loading assembly 30 located on a support frame 5 and mounted to a prime mover 70 (or any other suitable vehicle). The storage assembly

10 includes bomb-proof box 1 1 carrying a plurality of booster assemblies 60 grouped in booster crates 83 on a rotating carousel 35. The delivery assembly 20 comprises an adjustable transfer arm 21 having a gripping means in the form of a pair of jaws 23 for gripping a booster 65 or a booster assembly 60 while it is partially within the bomb box

11 and transferring the booster 65 or the booster assembly 60 to the loading assembly 30 positioned above a drill hole 90 on a pit floor 91 , as illustrated in Figure 1.

The initiation system vehicle 140 allows an operator to remove a booster assembly 60 from the bomb-proof box 11 and insert a booster 65 into the emulsion explosive-filled hole 90 at a selected operative depth, whilst remaining within the confines of a vehicle cabin 3 or operating the initiation system vehicle 140 from a remote location.

The embodiment of the initiation system vehicle 140 illustrated in Figures 13-16 is configured to move only the booster 65 of each booster assembly 60 from the bomb proof box 1 1 to the loading assembly 30 and to retain the other components of the booster assembly 60 in the bomb-proof box 1 1.

In contrast, in another embodiment of the initiation system vehicle (not shown), the entire booster assembly 60 is removed from the bomb-proof box 11 1 and delivered to the loading assembly 130 - only the booster 65 is inserted into the drill hole 90 and the spool 63 and the stake 61 of the booster assembly 60 are retained at an intermediate position. This other embodiment of the initiation system vehicle has a more compact loading assembly 130. An upper opening in the bomb-box and the hatch of the bomb-box have been reduced in area to reduce the number of booster assemblies 65 exposed when the hatch is in the open configuration. The frame also supports a loading platform to assist an operator manually loading the crates. The loading assembly comprises a loading cage which houses the pusher. In use, the entire booster assembly 60 rather than the booster 65 only as is the case in the embodiment shown in Figures 13-16 is removed from the box and delivered by the transfer arm to a holder (i.e. an intermediate position) adjacent the cage. This reduces the distance over which the detonation cord 66 trails. This arrangement displaces the detonation cord 66 of the booster 65 from the remaining live booster assemblies 60 within the bomb-proof box.

Where components of the booster assembly 60 are retained in the bomb-proof box 11 as per the embodiment in Figures 13-16, the detonation cord 66 becomes draped across the storage assembly 10 between the spool 63 and the booster 65 as the booster 65 is moved from the bomb-proof box 11 and inserted into a hole 90. In other embodiments (not shown), the spool and thus the attached detonation cord are completely removed from the bomb-proof box and held near the hole prior to being driven into the pit floor adjacent the hole.

The embodiment of the initiation system vehicle 140 shown in Figures 13-16 is now described in more detail.

Figures 13-15 illustrate the prime mover 70 removably coupled to the support frame 5 upon which the operative assemblies 10, 20, 30 of the initiation system vehicle 140 are mounted. Figure 16 shows the support frame 5 and operative assemblies 10, 20, 30 without the prime mover 70.

With reference to Figures 13-15, the frame 5 comprises steel beams which mount and support the various assemblies of the initiation system vehicle 140. A front portion of the frame 5 wraps around the initiation system vehicle 140 to form a bumper 9. The bumper 9 provides protection from impacts with minor obstacles around the pit floor 91.

The prime mover 70 is a vehicle having a cab 3 supported on a wheeled chassis 2. The chassis 2 also supports a mounting arm 4 operatively engaged to the frame 5 via a coupling 86. The coupling 86 allows the frame 5 to be pivoted about the arm 4. The coupling 86 allows the frame 5 to be disengaged and re-engaged from the arm 4 and thus removable attached to an alternative prime mover 70. Illustrated in Figure 14, the frame 5 is a quadrilateral shape, having the bomb proof box 11 of the storage assembly 10 mounted centrally thereon. On a first side of the frame 5, there is a winch arm 31 supporting a winch 8. These components form part of the loading assembly 30. The winch arm 31 is pivotable about the frame 5 to provide access to a plurality of holes 90 without the need to move the initiation system vehicle 140. Nevertheless, typically, the initiation system vehicle 140 will be moved from one hole 90 to the next hole 90 rather than be used to insert boosters 65 into multiple locations while the initiation system vehicle 140 is at one location.

At a distal end of the winch arm 31 is a fairlead 31a which guides a winch cable 32. The winch cable 32 extends between the winch 8 and a pusher 41. These components are further components of the loading assembly 30.

The loading assembly 30 also comprises at least one camera 19 and at least one light 77 mounted to the distal end of the winch arm 31 to assist in positioning and launching the booster 65 into the hole 90. The light or lights 77 and the camera or cameras 19 are preferably mounted in proximity to the pusher 41 to make it possible for the operator to visualise and analyse the hole 90 and the hole surroundings before, during and after loading of the booster 65. The camera(s) 19 can be an I R camera to take thermal readings before, during or after loading of the booster 65. The camera(s) 19 and the light (s) 77 may be any suitable products.

The bomb-proof box 11 has an access hatch 12 which allows for loading of the booster crates 83 therein. On a top surface of the bomb-proof box 11 there is also provided a booster access port 84, through which a booster 65 or booster assembly 60 can be controllably ejected from within the bomb-proof box 11. When, in use, the booster 65 is projected though the access port 84 and above the top of the bomb-proof box 11 , the delivery assembly 20 can access the booster 65 and transfer the booster 65 to the loading assembly 30. Figure 15 illustrates the delivery assembly 20 having the transfer arm 21 pivotally mounted to the frame 5. In some embodiments the transfer arm 21 can be mounted to the bomb-proof box 11. The transfer arm 21 pivots about an axis-x located adjacent a side wall of the bomb-proof box 11. The transfer arm 21 pivots across the top of the bomb-proof box 11 to grip the booster 65 or booster assembly 60 as it is controllably moved upwardly through the access port 84. The transfer arm 21 is provided with a gripping member 23, illustrated in Figure 13 as a pair of jaws 23a, 23b, which at least partially encircle the booster 65 to reliably grasp and transfer the booster 65 to the loading assembly 30. It is contemplated that other forms of gripping member 23 can be used.

Once the booster 65 or booster assembly 60 is securely held in the jaws 23a, 23b, the transfer arm 21 is raised on a transfer arm booster 18, which allows the booster 65 or booster assembly 60 to be lifted clear of the access port 84. Once clear of the access port 84, the booster 65 or booster assembly 60 is rotated over the bomb proof box 11 to a delivery tube 78 of the loading assembly 30. The purpose of the delivery tube 78 is to help guide boosters 65 into drilled holes 90.

Turning to Figure 12, the bomb-proof box 15 is illustrated in an open

configuration. The access hatch 12 is raised to enable booster crates 83 to be loaded and removed from the interior of the box 11. A loading door 7 is also provided to facilitate loading and unloading of the booster crates 83 and maintenance of the internal systems of the bomb-proof box 11.

Each of the booster crates 83 contains between 1 and 6 booster assemblies 65 that are preloaded into the box 11 prior to the initiation system vehicle 140 travelling onto the pit floor 91. Each of the booster crates 83 is locked into position on a rotating plate or carousel 35 which internally rotates about a central upright axis with the box 11 to align a predetermined booster assembly 65 with the access port 84.

Activation of a lifting assembly 50 below the carousel 35 raises a selected booster assembly 65 though the access port 84 so that the booster 60 of the booster assembly 65 can be received and gripped by the jaws 23a, 23b of the transfer arm 21. In this position, the transfer arm 21 can move the booster 60 clear of the other components of the booster assembly 65, which are retained in the box 11. The access hatch 12 provides handles 51 to assist in opening the hatch 12 and, once open, the hatch 12 has struts 13 to hold the hatch 12 in the open configuration. The struts 13 can be gas struts or hydraulic struts or any other suitable option. The hatch 12 is approximately half the area of the top of the box 11 to allow ample room for loading and unloading of the crates 83. The invention is not confined to a particular size hatch 12.

To one side of the hatch 12 there is provided an emergency stop (e-stop) 6 for shutting down the various assemblies of the initiation system vehicle 140 in an emergency.

Figure 12 also illustrates the transfer arm 21 holding a booster 65 at a position along a pivoting path of movement toward the delivery tube 78. The delivery tube 78 is rigidly mounted to the frame 5. As the booster 65 is swung into position above the tube 78, the booster 65 is brought into alignment with the pusher 41 of the loading assembly 30.

When the storage assembly 10 is being transported to a drilled hole 90 the access port 84 of the storage assembly 10 is sealed by an actuated lid 36, which ensures full containment of the contents of the bomb-proof box 11. The actuated lid 30 is only opened to unseal the access port 84 once a booster 65 of a selected booster assembly 60 is ready to be ejected from the box 11.

In use, a plurality of the booster assemblies 60 are stored in a suitable bomb proof magazine or other suitable storage assembly of the initiation system vehicle.

The initiation system vehicle is driven to a location proximate a hole in a pit floor. In one embodiment of the initiation system vehicle, a delivery assembly of the initiation system vehicle transports a booster assembly 60 from the magazine to an intermediate transfer position (not shown) proximate the delivery position and then transports the booster 65 of that assembly to a loading position directly above the hole, with the spool 63 and the stake 61 remaining at the intermediate transfer position. A loading assembly of the initiation system vehicle 140 (i) supports the booster 65 in the delivery position above the hole and (ii) moves the booster 65 downwardly into the hole and inserts the booster 65 at an operative depth in the hole. The detonation cord 66 of the booster assembly 60 unwinds from the spool 63 as the booster 65 is moved into the hole. After the hole has been stemmed, the delivery assembly of the initiation system vehicle 140 moves the spool 63 and the stake 61 from the intermediate transfer position to the stemmed hole and pushes the stake 61 into the pit floor adjacent the stemmed hole. The stemmed hole is now ready to be connected to a detonation system to detonate the explosives in this and other holes in a required drill and blast array. The initiation system vehicle can then move to the next hole and repeat the sequence of steps with another booster assembly 60 in the magazine. The above-described mine and mining method makes it possible to operate the pits at the Lihir mine with no mining personnel having to walk on the ground in the pits. The personnel can carry out all of the required mining operations while within vehicle cabins or a tele-remote operating center. Many modifications may be made to the embodiments of the invention described above without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

By way of example, whilst the mine and the mining method of the invention are described in relation to operating in a challenging high temperature environment at the Lihir mine, the invention is not confined to this environment and is suitable for use in extremely cold environments and in any environments where there is a need to operate with mine personnel in vehicle cabins or operating vehicles tele-remotely.

Claims

1. A method of mining an ore containing a valuable material in a pit that includes the following steps:

(a) positioning a drill rig in a first location in a section of the pit;

(b) drilling a hole for explosives at the first location;

(d) positioning a down-hole measurement vehicle in a first location in the

(h) positioning an initiation system vehicle in a first location in the section of the pit and positioning a booster containing a charge of an explosive for initiating an explosion of a bulk explosive into at least one drilled hole within an operating range for the vehicle while the vehicle is stationary, with a vehicle operator being located in a cabin of the vehicle or at a remote location or with the vehicle being operated autonomously; and

(k) actuating the boosters in the plurality of holes and initiating explosions of the explosives in the holes and blasting the section of the pit.

2. The method defined in claim 1 comprising modifying a hole, such as by back- filling or increasing the depth of the hole to an extent, having regard to the

measurements taken by the down-the-hole vehicle, before supplying explosives to the hole.

3. The method defined in claim 1 comprising taking further down-hole

measurements from the modified hole after making hole modifications and before supplying explosives to the hole.

4. The method defined in any one of the preceding claims comprising operating each of the drill rig, the explosives delivery vehicle, and the initiation system vehicle in a predetermined sequence in the section of the pit.

5. The method defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein steps (d) and (e) comprise sensing and analysing data including any one or more than one of temperature, hole depth and hole diameter.

6. The method defined in any one of the preceding claims comprising delivering the explosive to the holes via the explosives delivery vehicle in the order that the drill rig drills the holes.

7. The method defined in any one of the preceding claims comprising delivering the boosters to the holes via the initiation system vehicle after the holes have been filled with the explosive in the order that the drill rig drills the holes.

8. The method defined in any one of the preceding claims comprising picking up the boosters successively from a storage unit of the initiation system vehicle that stores a plurality of the boosters and placing the boosters in a delivery position of the initiation system vehicle that is above the hole.

9. The method defined in any one of the preceding claims comprising delivering each booster via gravitational force from the delivery position downwardly through the explosive in the hole to the required depth in the hole.

10. The method defined in any one of claims 1 to 9 comprising applying a downwardly-acting force to move the booster through the explosive in the hole downwardly to the required depth in the hole.

11. An operating mining pit in which an ore containing a valuable material is mined in a section of the pit includes:

(a) a drill rig operating in the section of the pit and drilling a plurality of holes for explosives;

(b) a down-hole measurement vehicle operating in the section of the pit and taking measurements in a drilled hole or holes within an operating range for the vehicle while the vehicle is stationary, with a vehicle operator being located in a cabin of the vehicle or at a remote location or with the vehicle being operated autonomously, and the vehicle moving within the section of the pit and taking measurements in other drilled holes in the section;

(c) an explosives delivery vehicle operating in the section of the pit and

delivering an explosive, such as an emulsion explosive, to required depths into at least one drilled hole within an operating range for the vehicle while the vehicle is stationary, with a vehicle operator being located in a cabin of the vehicle or at a remote location or with the vehicle being operated autonomously, and the vehicle moving within the section of the pit and delivering explosives to other drilled holes in the section; (d) a initiation system vehicle operating in the section of the pit and positioning a booster having an explosion initiator, such as a detonator, into at least one drilled hole within an operating range for the vehicle while the vehicle is stationary, with a vehicle operator being located in a cabin of the vehicle or at a remote location or with the vehicle being operated autonomously, and the vehicle moving within the section of the pit and positioning boosters into other drilled holes in the section; and

(e) an explosives initiation system that initiates explosions of explosives in the holes and blasts the section of the pit.

12. The pit defined in claim 11 wherein the down-hole measurement vehicle comprises (a) a sensor array that includes a plurality of sensors, (b) a boom that supports the sensor array and is configured to be extended from an inboard position to an outboard position to position the sensor array above one or more drilled holes, and (c) an assembly that includes a cable reel and a cable connected at one end to the cable reel and at the other end to the sensor array that is configured to lower the sensor array into drilled holes and to retrieve the sensor array from drilled holes.

13. The pit defined in claim 11 wherein the down-hole measurement vehicle comprises (a) a sensor array that includes a plurality of sensors, (b) a boom that supports the sensor array and can pivot around an axis so that the boom can move around an arc and can be extended radially between an inboard position and an outboard position so that the sensor array can be positioned above one or more drilled holes in the area described by the possible pivotal and radial movement of the boom, and (c) an assembly that includes a cable reel and a cable connected at one end to the cable reel and at the other end to the sensor array that is configured to lower the sensor array into drilled holes and to retrieve the sensor array from drilled holes.

14. The pit defined in any one of claims 11 to 13 wherein the initiation system vehicle comprises:

(a) a storage assembly for storing a plurality of the boosters;

(b) a loading assembly for (i) supporting the booster in a delivery position

above the hole and (ii) moving the booster downwardly into the hole and inserting the booster at an operative depth in the hole; and (c) a delivery assembly for transporting the booster from the storage assembly to the delivery position of the loading assembly.

15. The pit defined in claim 14 wherein the loading assembly comprises a pusher element for applying a downwardly-acting force to move the booster into the hole to the operative depth.

16. The pit defined in any one of claims 11 to 15 wherein the booster is a part of a booster assembly that comprises in co-axial alignment:

(a) the booster;