Since LKAB was founded in 1890, more than one and a half billion tons of iron ore have been extracted from their mines. LKAB is one of Sweden’s oldest industrial companies and are wholly owned by the Swedish state. The majority of their iron ore products are sold to European steelworks. Other important markets are the Middle East, North Africa, Asia and the USA. Their ambition to be one of the most innovative and high-tech mining companies is the main reason why LKAB is using Austin Powder E*STAR detonators.

Typical iron ore blast in Svappavaara mine is using following parameters: hole depth 15 m, hole diameter 165 mm, hole depth vary from 10 to 20 m, burden 4,7 m and spacing 5,0 m. Requested is separation of ore and waste / control of muckpile movement. Typical non-electric blast was done with stemming length 3,3 m.

Typical iron ore blasts and all test blasts with E*STAR electronic detonators were put in blast design modelling software Blasting Solutions and Paradigm later. Based on inputs and software analysis, best timing (inter-hole and inter-row delay) was calculated and recommended.

Major improvement, blast fragmentation, is shown in graph below. Green line is representing loading scenario with E*STAR electronic detonators, Red line is representing scenario with non-electric detonators. It was decided to increase stemming length from 3,3 m to 4,3 m. This move has brought the same fragmentation as with non-electric detonators before.