A Conceptual Study for Development of 3D Rock Fragmentation Analysis System with Stereo-photogrammetry Technologies

Abstract

One of the most important aspects of mine blasting is accomplishing proper rock fragmentation to optimise not only blasting operation itself but also the entire mine to mill processes. As improper fragmentations, i.e., oversizes and fines, extremely deteriorate overall mining processes, its in-depth analysis is essentially required. In the area of rock fragmentation measurement, 2D photo based fragmentation measurement systems have been primarily used for nearly three decades. Meanwhile, its disadvantages of inaccuracy and inconvenience have been assiduously raised. In this study, in order to overcome the limitations of current 2D based rock fragmentation measurement methods, in development of 3D rock fragmentation analysis system using stereo-photogrammetry technologies has been established. The advanced stereo-photogrammetry technologies within the proposed system will facilitate accurate detection of rock fragments without any scalier and further requirement of excessive manual editing. Furthermore, the representative fragmentation of a whole blasting shot can be promptly analysed by generating 3D digital model of the entire blasted rock piles in the proposed system.