Cascade Loading of 4.5" 0 Up-Holes

Materials Required

The loading equipment is a Satellite Loader, with the air pressure regulated at 40 - 50 psi. The loader should be fitted with a ¾" I.D. anti static loader hose. The loader hose should have electrical tape wrapped around it at 10' intervals to assist in the measuring of the hole when loading.

Supplies General

Measuring tape - 200'
1" I.D. Utility Hose
¾ " x 36" copper pipe
Punch Lok clamps
Fittings for the 1" I.D. utility hose
to connect to an airline
Utility knife
Electrical tape
Satellite Anfo Loader
with 100' of ¾" Ø Anti-static loader hose
(Tank pressure set at 30 psi to start)
Loading poles aluminum or plastic

(Stock Code 334599, each)
(Stock Code 19828, 100' roll)
(Stock Code 286187, foot)
(Stock Code 286187, foot)
(no stock code)

(no stock code)
(Stock Code 190090, roll)

(no stock code)

(Stock Code 286351)

Set Up for 1" I.D. Utility Hose

The 1" I.D. Utility/Cleaning hose should be set up with its own air supply. One end of the hose should be assembled with hose fittings so that it can be connected to the mine air supply. Insert a 36" length of ¾" Ø copper pipe in the other end of the hose. Leave about 1" of the pipe extending from the end of the hose, and use two Punch Lok clamps to secure the pipe at this location.

Figure 1-1: Set Up for 1" I.D. Utility Hose

To clean the hole:

If the hole is blind, once the hose reaches the end of the hole, fully open the air and this will blow small chunks and cuttings out the collar of the hole.
If the hole breaks into the void, push the hose up the hole until the end protrudes into the void. Slowly withdraw the hose until the end is just inside the toe of the hole. You will hear a different sound when the end of the hose enters into the hole. Turn on the air fully. Insert the end of the water hose into the collar of the hole and turn on the water. The air at the toe of the hole will act like a venturi and suck the water through the hole cleaning it. This venturi effect will even work on holes that are dipped slightly above horizontal.

2.

Use electrical tape to fasten the cap of the EXEL detonator to a bump on the Boostercord. (The detonator must be taped on one of the bumps to ensure reliable initiation). Make sure the detonator is on the Boostercord so that sufficient shock tubing remains out of the hole to make wiring convenient.

Figure 1-3: Electrical Tape Placement

4.

Push the loader hose up the blasthole until the end of the hose contacts the hole plug. Withdraw the hose until the end is about 1' from the hole plug. (see Figure 1-5)

Note: The maximum distance to the top of plug should not exceed 70'. The ¾" loader hose is not ridged enough to push the hose beyond this distance.

Figure 1-5

6.

Make a hole plug of approximately 10 square feet (3' x 3') of fabrene. Use the 1" hose to push the fabrene plug up the hole to the distance specified on the blast letter. Hold the Boostercord and detonator shock tubing so they do not get pushed up the hole with the fabrene.

Note: Fabrene should be used and for the plug and not plastic bags. Fabrene will allow air to ventilate from the hole. Plastic bags will seal the hole creating air pressure that could displace the plug and make the removal of the ¾" Ø loader hose difficult to remove.

8.

In vertical holes tiger paws should be used at the collars of the holes to hold the fabrene in position. Also in steep and vertical holes the 1" hose or loading poles can be used to hole the bottom hole plug in place during the loading process. This will prevent the weight of the explosive plus the build up of air pressure from displacing the hole plug and fabrene.

10.

Shut off the air to the loader and wait 15 - 20 seconds for the air in the hole to leak past the fabrene and through cracks in the rock. While waiting, remove the electrical tape holding the loader hose to the Boostercord, and cut off the Boostercord protruding from the hole. Care has to be taken not to damage the detonator shock tubing.

12.

After removing the loader hose from the hole it is important to purge the Amex from loading hose with fluidizing air. If the hose is not purged and is put into the next hole to be loaded, there is a chance that the hose could be plugged with Amex. If this happens the loader hose will have to be removed from the hole and purged.

14.

In areas with high back heights, a length of 4² I.D. plastic pipe can be inserted into the collar of the blasthole. This will enable easy installation of the loader hose into the collar of the blasthole. The pipe is removed once the hole is loaded.

2.

To inflate the layflat tubing push the loader hose inside the layflat tubing. Grasping the layflat tubing around the hose to create a seal turn on a small amount of fluidizing air to blow up the layflat tubing. This will make it easier to insert an extended hole plug into the tubing.

4.

Hang the roll of 7" anti-static layflat tubing on a scaling bar so that it can feed freely from the roll. One of the fins on the 3" Extended hole plug will have to be removed to allow the layflat tubing running along the side the extended hole plug. Insert the extended hole plug into the end of the layflat tubing until it touches the flared fins. Tape the tubing in place. (See Figure 1-7)

Figure 1-7

6.

Once the hole plug is at the top of the charge location remove the 1" hose.

8.

Withdraw the loading hose until the end is about 1' from the hole plug. At the collar of the hole, use electrical tape to tape the loader hose to the Boostercord. This will hold the loader hose in place while the fabrene plug is being inserted.

10.

Remove the 1" hose and then push a hole plug up the inside of the layflat tubing until it comes in contact with the fabrene. The hole is now plugged at the specified location. (See Figure 1-8) A tiger paw should be used instead of the extended hole plugs in vertical holes.

Figure 1-8

Note: With this method the bump cord is on the outside of the layflat tubing.
According to the Orica technical representative this is not a problem as the bumps have sufficient energy to initiate the explosive inside the tubing.
In the wet uphole loading tests conducted to date, the water drained between the layflat tubing and the wall of the hole.

Cascade Loading of 4.5" Ø Up-Holes
Cascade loading requires two men for the loading operation.
Equipment
Materials Required
The loading equipment is a Satellite Loader, with the air pressure regulated at 40 - 50 psi. The loader should be fitted with a ¾" I.D. anti static loader hose. The loader hose should have electrical tape wrapped around it at 10' intervals to assist in the measuring of the hole when loading.
Explosives
AMEX II in 25 kg. Bags LOMEX II in 15 kg. Bags EXEL CONSTADETS in 25 or 30 meter lengths Boostercord (also called bump cord) in 150 meter rolls EXEL MS (electric blasting cap) CORDTEX 18
Supplies General
Measuring tape - 200' 1" I.D. Utility Hose ¾ " x 36" copper pipe Punch Lok clamps Fittings for the 1" I.D. utility hose to connect to an airline Utility knife Electrical tape Satellite Anfo Loader with 100' of ¾" Ø Anti-static loader hose (Tank pressure set at 30 psi to start) Loading poles aluminum or plastic		(Stock Code 334599, each) (Stock Code 19828, 100' roll) (Stock Code 286187, foot) (Stock Code 286187, foot) (no stock code) (no stock code) (Stock Code 190090, roll) (no stock code) (Stock Code 286351)
Supplies Loading
7" Anti-static Layflat Tubing for 4 3" Extended hole plugs (Pilgrim Hats) Hole plugs - Tiger paws Fabrene		(Stock Code 334599, each) (Stock Code 425660) (Stock Code 342501, 100/carton) (Stock Code 335810)
Instructions
Set Up for 1" I.D. Utility Hose
The 1" I.D. Utility/Cleaning hose should be set up with its own air supply. One end of the hose should be assembled with hose fittings so that it can be connected to the mine air supply. Insert a 36" length of ¾" Ø copper pipe in the other end of the hose. Leave about 1" of the pipe extending from the end of the hose, and use two Punch Lok clamps to secure the pipe at this location. Figure 1-1: Set Up for 1" I.D. Utility Hose
Measuring and cleaning holes with the 1" I.D. utility hose
To measure the hole: Insert the hose into the collar of the hole and turn on the air about ¼ to ½ open. As you push the hose up the hole, you will hear a different sound when the end of the hose enters a void. The air pressure can be increased to clean the hole at the same time as it is being measured. Record these measurements.
To clean the hole: If the hole is blind, once the hose reaches the end of the hole, fully open the air and this will blow small chunks and cuttings out the collar of the hole. If the hole breaks into the void, push the hose up the hole until the end protrudes into the void. Slowly withdraw the hose until the end is just inside the toe of the hole. You will hear a different sound when the end of the hose enters into the hole. Turn on the air fully. Insert the end of the water hose into the collar of the hole and turn on the water. The air at the toe of the hole will act like a venturi and suck the water through the hole cleaning it. This venturi effect will even work on holes that are dipped slightly above horizontal.
Loading Procedure (Dry Holes)
1.	Insert one end the Boostercord (Bump cord) through the hole in the center of the 3" Extended hole plug from the top and tie a knot in the Boostercord on the inside of the plug. The Boostercord is on the outside of the hole plug to ensure it is not cut off by the copper pipe in the 1" utility hose when pushing the plug into place. Ensure the first bump of the cord is 5' below the hole plug to ensure that the bump will be completely surrounded by explosive. It is recommended that there be at least two bumps in the charge length loaded.	Figure 1-2: Loading Procedure
2.	Use electrical tape to fasten the cap of the EXEL detonator to a bump on the Boostercord. (The detonator must be taped on one of the bumps to ensure reliable initiation). Make sure the detonator is on the Boostercord so that sufficient shock tubing remains out of the hole to make wiring convenient. Figure 1-3: Electrical Tape Placement
3.	Have someone feeding the Boostercord and the detonator shock tubing into the hole as you use the 1" I.D. Utility Hose to push the extended hole plug up the hole. If the hose slips out of the hole plug the hose can easily be put back into the plug as it acts like a funnel. Once the extended hole plug is at the top of the charge location (designated on the blast letter) remove the 1" hose. Note: The ¾" Ø loader hose is not ridged enough to push the hole plug and cord up the hole.	Figure 1-4: Feeding the Boostercord
4.	Push the loader hose up the blasthole until the end of the hose contacts the hole plug. Withdraw the hose until the end is about 1' from the hole plug. (see Figure 1-5) Note: The maximum distance to the top of plug should not exceed 70'. The ¾" loader hose is not ridged enough to push the hose beyond this distance.	Figure 1-5
5.	At the collar of the hole, use electrical tape to secure the loader hose to the Boostercord. This will hold the loader hose in place while the fabrene plug is being inserted. (see Figure 1-5)
6.	Make a hole plug of approximately 10 square feet (3' x 3') of fabrene. Use the 1" hose to push the fabrene plug up the hole to the distance specified on the blast letter. Hold the Boostercord and detonator shock tubing so they do not get pushed up the hole with the fabrene. Note: Fabrene should be used and for the plug and not plastic bags. Fabrene will allow air to ventilate from the hole. Plastic bags will seal the hole creating air pressure that could displace the plug and make the removal of the ¾" Ø loader hose difficult to remove.
7.	Remove the hose and then push an extended hole plug up the hole until it comes in contact with the fabrene. Note: Sometimes more than 1 hole plug will be required.
8.	In vertical holes tiger paws should be used at the collars of the holes to hold the fabrene in position. Also in steep and vertical holes the 1" hose or loading poles can be used to hole the bottom hole plug in place during the loading process. This will prevent the weight of the explosive plus the build up of air pressure from displacing the hole plug and fabrene.
9.	Turn on the loader to "cascade" load the hole. Once loading is started, the Amex will strike the hole plug at the toe of the hole, and cascade (fall) to the fabrene plug. The tank air pressure (start at 30 psi) in the loader tank is sufficient for cascade loading. It is not necessary to use fluidizing air. When the hole is full the loader will stop. Note: The more tank and fluidizing air pressure that is use the finer the Amex perils are crushed. This makes it difficult to pull the loader hose through the Amex.
10.	Shut off the air to the loader and wait 15 - 20 seconds for the air in the hole to leak past the fabrene and through cracks in the rock. While waiting, remove the electrical tape holding the loader hose to the Boostercord, and cut off the Boostercord protruding from the hole. Care has to be taken not to damage the detonator shock tubing.
11.	Pull the loader hose through the column of Amex. A small amount of explosive may leak past the plug and run out of the hole. If explosives continue to leak past the plug be prepared to shove a piece of fabrene and hole plug up the blasthole.
12.	After removing the loader hose from the hole it is important to purge the Amex from loading hose with fluidizing air. If the hose is not purged and is put into the next hole to be loaded, there is a chance that the hose could be plugged with Amex. If this happens the loader hose will have to be removed from the hole and purged.
13.	If the loader hose is not purged and has to be removed the 1" utility hose will be used to push the bottom hole plug and fabrene to the end of the hole. You will have to repeat this procedure starting from step #4 above. Note: It has been observed in the field that Cordtex 18 and Pentex 12 boosters have been used in place of Boostercord. This is not a recommended method and the practice should be terminated. When using this method, if the bottom plug has to be pushed to the end of the hole because of a plugged hose the Cordtex 18, Pentex 12 booster and detonator will also be pushed to the end of the hole with the plug.
14.	In areas with high back heights, a length of 4² I.D. plastic pipe can be inserted into the collar of the blasthole. This will enable easy installation of the loader hose into the collar of the blasthole. The pipe is removed once the hole is loaded.
Loading Procedure (Wet Up Holes using 7" Anti-Static Layflat Tubing)
1.	Hang the roll of 7" anti-static layflat tubing on a scaling bar so that it can feed freely from the roll. One of the fins on the 3" Extended hole plug will have to be removed to allow the layflat tubing running along the side the extended hole plug. Insert the extended hole plug into the end of the layflat tubing until it touches the flared fins. Tape the tubing in place. (See Figure 1-6)	Figure 1-6
2.	To inflate the layflat tubing push the loader hose inside the layflat tubing. Grasping the layflat tubing around the hose to create a seal turn on a small amount of fluidizing air to blow up the layflat tubing. This will make it easier to insert an extended hole plug into the tubing.
3.	Insert one end the Boostercord (Bump cord) through the hole in the center of the 3" Extended hole plug from the top and tie a knot in the Boostercord on the inside of the plug. See drawing for "Loading Procedure" (Dry Holes, point # 1). Ensure the first bump of the cord is 5' below the hole plug to ensure that the bump will be completely surrounded by explosive. Ensure that there are at least two bumps of the Boostercord in the charge length.
4.	Hang the roll of 7" anti-static layflat tubing on a scaling bar so that it can feed freely from the roll. One of the fins on the 3" Extended hole plug will have to be removed to allow the layflat tubing running along the side the extended hole plug. Insert the extended hole plug into the end of the layflat tubing until it touches the flared fins. Tape the tubing in place. (See Figure 1-7)	Figure 1-7
5.	Insert the 1" utility hose into the Extended hole plug and push it into the collar of the anti-static layflat tubing. Have someone feeding the Boostercord, layflat tubing and the detonator shock tubing as you use the 1² I.D. Utility Hose to push the hole plug up the layflat tubing. If the hose slips from the neck of the hole plug the hose can easily be inserted back into the hole plug as the extended body of the hole plug acts like a funnel.
6.	Once the hole plug is at the top of the charge location remove the 1" hose.
7.	Push the loading hose into the tubing until the end of the hose contacts the hole plug.
8.	Withdraw the loading hose until the end is about 1' from the hole plug. At the collar of the hole, use electrical tape to tape the loader hose to the Boostercord. This will hold the loader hose in place while the fabrene plug is being inserted.
9.	Make a hole plug of approximately 10 square feet (3' x 3') of fabrene. Use the 1" hose to push a fabrene plug up inside the layflat tubing to the distance specified on the blast letter. Hold the layflat tubing so it does not get pushed up the hole while the fabrene plug is being installed.
10.	Remove the 1" hose and then push a hole plug up the inside of the layflat tubing until it comes in contact with the fabrene. The hole is now plugged at the specified location. (See Figure 1-8) A tiger paw should be used instead of the extended hole plugs in vertical holes. Figure 1-8
Follow steps #8 to #13 of the "Loading Procedure for Dry Holes"
Note: With this method the bump cord is on the outside of the layflat tubing. According to the Orica technical representative this is not a problem as the bumps have sufficient energy to initiate the explosive inside the tubing. In the wet uphole loading tests conducted to date, the water drained between the layflat tubing and the wall of the hole.
Figure 1-9