Respective embodiments disclosed herein include methods and apparatuses (1) for surveying a mine bench or other material body using at least seismic data obtained via geophone and measurement module data synchronized via a wireless link; (2) for generating hyperspectral panoramic imaging data of a blast hole or other borehole; or (3) for allowing a neural network to facilitate a differential blast design that targets a first bench part more weakly than the differential blast design targets a second bench part (along the same mine bench) at least partly based on data indicative of a much higher concentration of a valuable material in the second bench part than in the first.

Respective embodiments disclosed herein include methods and apparatuses (1) for surveying a mine bench or other material body using at least seismic data obtained via geophone and measurement module data synchronized via a wireless link; (2) for generating hyperspectral panoramic imaging data of a blast hole or other borehole; or (3) for allowing a neural network to facilitate a differential blast design that targets a first bench part more weakly than the differential blast design targets a second bench part (along the same mine bench) at least partly based on data indicative of a much higher concentration of a valuable material in the second bench part than in the first.

Respective embodiments disclosed herein include methods and apparatuses (1) for surveying a mine bench or other material body using at least seismic data obtained via geophone and measurement module data synchronized via a wireless link; (2) for generating hyperspectral panoramic imaging data of a blast hole or other borehole; or (3) for allowing a neural network to facilitate a differential blast design that targets a first bench part more weakly than the differential blast design targets a second bench part (along the same mine bench) at least partly based on data indicative of a much higher concentration of a valuable material in the second bench part than in the first.

A method of locating a borehole and a detonator in a blasting system which includes a number of boreholes and detonators, wherein an operator uses a mobile device which presents to the operator identity and location information of a borehole but only if the borehole is within a predetermined distance of the operator.

A method of locating a borehole and a detonator in a blasting system which includes a number of boreholes and detonators, wherein an operator uses a mobile device which presents to the operator identity and location information of a borehole but only if the borehole is within a predetermined distance of the operator.

A method of stimulating a subterranean formation. The method begins with positioning a stimulation tool into a wellbore formed through the formation. The stimulation tool includes (i) at least one tubular segment; (ii) an outer sleeve positioned on the tubular segment and forming an annular space between the tubular segment and the outer sleeve; (iii) a propellant positioned within the annular space; (iv) at least one ignitor positioned to ignite the propellant; (v) at least one rupture disc positioned within a wall of the tubular segment; and (vi) the absence of a detonator for detonating the propellant. Thereafter, the propellant is ignited to begin deflagration of the propellant.

A method of stimulating a subterranean formation. The method begins with positioning a stimulation tool into a wellbore formed through the formation. The stimulation tool includes (i) at least one tubular segment; (ii) an outer sleeve positioned on the tubular segment and forming an annular space between the tubular segment and the outer sleeve; (iii) a propellant positioned within the annular space; (iv) at least one ignitor positioned to ignite the propellant; (v) at least one rupture disc positioned within a wall of the tubular segment; and (vi) the absence of a detonator for detonating the propellant. Thereafter, the propellant is ignited to begin deflagration of the propellant.

The detonation of one or more explosive charges and propellant charges by a detonator in response to a fire control signal from a command and control system comprised of a command center and instrumentation center with a communications link therebetween. The fire control signal is selectively provided to the detonator from the instrumentation center if plural detonation control switches at the command center are in a fire authorization status, and instruments, and one or more interlocks, if included, are in a ready for firing status. The instrumentation and command centers are desirably mobile, such as being respective vehicles.

The detonation of one or more explosive charges and propellant charges by a detonator in response to a fire control signal from a command and control system comprised of a command center and instrumentation center with a communications link therebetween. The fire control signal is selectively provided to the detonator from the instrumentation center if plural detonation control switches at the command center are in a fire authorization status, and instruments, and one or more interlocks, if included, are in a ready for firing status. The instrumentation and command centers are desirably mobile, such as being respective vehicles.

Disclosed is a geophysical or seismic exploration system. The system comprises a set of explosive device magazines configured for carrying a plurality of explosive device components, wherein the explosive device components are configurable to form individual explosive devices, and wherein each explosive device carries a set of explosive compositions and is configured for collimating an explosive shock wave produced thereby into a quasi-planar shock wave output from a distal end of the explosive device to produce a geophysical or seismic exploration wave. The system also includes a set of unmanned explosive device deployment support vehicles, wherein each unmanned explosive device deployment support vehicle comprises an aerial or land-based unmanned vehicle configured for carrying an explosive device magazine and delivering the explosive device magazine to a first in-field location at which each explosive device is deployable for carrying out a geophysical or seismic exploration operation.