Improved Blast Performance -- Savings In Downstream Costs

SUMMARY:
MREL (Mining Resource Engineering Ltd)^[1] tested stemming movement and ejection velocity. The longer time to stemming movement and the lower stemming ejection velocity means more blast energy is retained in the bore hole. Energy is directed into the rock, and not lost into the air. There is better fragmentation, less flyrock, and a reduction in noise. Using VARISTEM® with standard rock stemming, stemming movement was slowed 100% and stemming ejection velocity was reduced 44%.

SUMMARY:
DBA Consulting^[1] extended the MREL tests to provide quantifiable data on VARISTEM® performance in Increasing Rock Fragmentation, Improving Crusher Throughput and Blast Control.

SUMMARY:
This extensive report shows the blast containment achieved with the Varistem allows pattern spread for major drill cost savings. Holcim Cement^[1] conducted this study at their quarry in St. Genevieve, MO. This facility is the largest cement producing plant in the US, producing over 4 million metric tonnes of cement per year.

SUMMARY:
This study showed pattern spread of 25% for similar fragmentation to reduce drilling cost. Also, fly rock and noise control opened mine reserves previously closed due to community concerns.

SUMMARY:
DBA Consulting^[1] conducted this study to quantify the effectiveness of VARISTEM® using Different Types of Top Stemming Material.

SUMMARY:
A 12-month study of crusher throughput as a comparative measure of fragmentation, conducted by the University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa, Ghana.^[1]

SUMMARY:
Independent studies of crusher output conducted by two separate universities.

SUMMARY:
Tunnel Based PCB Collection System Using VARISTEM Stemming Plugs