In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a robot automated mining method. In one embodiment, a method includes a robot positioning a charging component for entry into a drill hole. In one embodiment, a method includes a robot moving a charging component within a drill hole. In one embodiment, a method includes a robot filling a drill hole with explosive material. In one embodiment, a method includes operating a robot within a mining environment.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a robot automated mining method. In one embodiment, a method includes a robot positioning a charging component for entry into a drill hole. In one embodiment, a method includes a robot moving a charging component within a drill hole. In one embodiment, a method includes a robot filling a drill hole with explosive material. In one embodiment, a method includes operating a robot within a mining environment.

A hole in geologic material, such as a wellbore, may be extended by impacting the working face of the hole with high velocity projectiles. A tube may be placed within the hole, and the lower end of the tube may be sealed to prevent ingress of material from the hole into the tube. A projectile may be accelerated through the tube, such as by igniting a combustible gas mixture to impart a force to the projectile. The impact of the projectile may extend the hole. In some cases, accelerated projectiles may be used in conjunction with a drill bit to drill a wellbore or other type of hole.

This invention provides a hose for conveying an emulsion explosive together with an annular stream of aqueous solution around the emulsion explosive as a lubricant, wherein the hose comprises an internal surface that reduces disruption of the annular stream during conveying of the emulsion explosive. Also provided is a method of producing this type of hose and practical applications of the hose in commercial mining and blasting operations.

This invention provides a hose for conveying an emulsion explosive together with an annular stream of aqueous solution around the emulsion explosive as a lubricant, wherein the hose comprises an internal surface that reduces disruption of the annular stream during conveying of the emulsion explosive. Also provided is a method of producing this type of hose and practical applications of the hose in commercial mining and blasting operations.

A method for providing a mining work machine at a work site with production control information, the method including: assigning, on the basis of overall production management information of the work site, the mining work machine with production control information, defining tasks to be performed by the work machine; downloading the control information to a mobile terminal from one or more downloading points associated with a production management system, the mobile terminal and the one or more downloading points including an application for mutually synchronizing desired control information; providing the mobile terminal in a vicinity of the mining work machine, the mining work machine further having an application for mutually synchronizing desired control information; performing an authentication between the mobile terminal and the mining work machine; selecting the control information to be downloaded to the mining work machine; and downloading the selected control information to the mining work machine wirelessly.

A method for providing a mining work machine at a work site with production control information, the method including: assigning, on the basis of overall production management information of the work site, the mining work machine with production control information, defining tasks to be performed by the work machine; downloading the control information to a mobile terminal from one or more downloading points associated with a production management system, the mobile terminal and the one or more downloading points including an application for mutually synchronizing desired control information; providing the mobile terminal in a vicinity of the mining work machine, the mining work machine further having an application for mutually synchronizing desired control information; performing an authentication between the mobile terminal and the mining work machine; selecting the control information to be downloaded to the mining work machine; and downloading the selected control information to the mining work machine wirelessly.

The present invention provides a rock movement sensor including an inertial measurement assembly, a control assembly responsive to said inertial measurement assembly and a communication assembly coupled to the control assembly. The control assembly is arranged to determine a displacement associated with a blast or drop based on signals from the inertial measurement assembly. The communication assembly is preferably a wireless communication assembly. A surface unit corresponding to the rock movement sensor is provided which includes a processor programmed to operate a communications assembly to receive displacement data from the rock movement sensor. Consequently, the movement of an ore body due to a blast may be determined by locating a number of the rock movement sensors at known locations about the ore body prior to the blast and subsequently retrieving data values indicating a displacement relative to the known locations from the rock movement sensor post blast.

The present invention provides a rock movement sensor including an inertial measurement assembly, a control assembly responsive to said inertial measurement assembly and a communication assembly coupled to the control assembly. The control assembly is arranged to determine a displacement associated with a blast or drop based on signals from the inertial measurement assembly. The communication assembly is preferably a wireless communication assembly. A surface unit corresponding to the rock movement sensor is provided which includes a processor programmed to operate a communications assembly to receive displacement data from the rock movement sensor. Consequently, the movement of an ore body due to a blast may be determined by locating a number of the rock movement sensors at known locations about the ore body prior to the blast and subsequently retrieving data values indicating a displacement relative to the known locations from the rock movement sensor post blast.

A system and method for drilling a borehole using a drilling rig having a rotary drill bit includes monitoring one or more drilling parameters; determining whether the one or more monitored drilling parameters are within predetermined specifications for one or more of the monitored drill parameters; and, executing an exception control procedure for control of a drilling parameter. The exception control procedure receives an input sensor value associated with a drilling parameter and applies feedback control to establish a scaled error value that is used to compute a setting value for the drilling parameter. The drilling parameters controlled may include the rotation speed of the drill bit, the feed rate of the drill bit, the weight-on-bit, or rotation torque during retraction of the drill bit. A computer-readable database of specifications of drill bits may be provided as a part of the system.