Whether you are blasting on a construction project, in a mine or a quarry, you are likely feeling the effects of increased public and regulatory pressure. These pressures make it more difficult to maintain schedules and keep production at acceptable levels; the one thing you cannot tolerate is an interruption of the blasting program.

Event monitoring is typically performed to either improve blasting efficiency, Near-Field Monitoring, or to monitor for compliance purposes, Far-Field Monitoring.

Far-Field Monitoring

The Event source is typically greater than 50 meters in Far-Field Monitoring. This includes environmental monitoring and compliance with stated regulations. It is accomplished by providing a compliance graph, in the form of an Event Report from Instantel® Blastware, and ensuring that human annoyance or damage to structures is minimized by adhering to regulations. It also provides a record for litigation purposes, if required.

The typical frequency range for sensors used in Far-Field Monitoring is 2 to 250 Hz. By measuring air pressure, we can determine the effect of air blast energy on structures, measured on the Linear "L" scale with an Instantel ISEE Linear Microphone (2 to 250 Hz), or as perceived by the human ear, measured on the "A" Weight scale, using an Instantel A-Weight Microphone (15 Hz to 18 kHz). Instantel ISEE and A-Weight Microphones are used to measures air blast to ensure regulatory compliance while Instantel High Pressure Microphones (5 Hz to 1 kHz) are being used for underground applications, such as mining and tunneling.

Near-Field Monitoring

Blast monitoring for advanced analysis is also referred to as Near-Field Monitoring. The Event source is very close for Near-Field Monitoring, with a monitoring point for Near-Field Monitoring usually set within 50 meters of the Event source. High frequency data is gathered to analyze the blast designs with the Blastware® Advanced Module software program to discover possible blasting problems or to improve blasting efficiency with tools such as Signature Hole Analysis.

The typical frequency ranges for sensors used in Near-Field Monitoring are up to 1000 Hz. Instantel High Frequency Geophones (28 Hz to 1kHz) and High Pressure Microphones (5 Hz to 1 kHz) are used for Near-Field Monitoring to measure the amplitude and frequency of ground vibrations and air over pressure. For more demanding applications, Instantel offers a wide range of Accelerometers. These range from very low amplitude and frequency (0.5g to 0.5 Hz) to extremely high levels (500g to 3 kHz).

Instantel Series IV Minimate Pro4™ and Series IV Minimate Pro6™ monitors are among the most versatile and capable monitors available. Featuring a rugged design, innovative enhancements, and advanced monitoring technology, the Minimate Pro systems will give you the results you need in a wide variety of applications.

The Instantel Series III Minimate Plus™ vibration monitor offers unrivalled features and versatility in a small, rugged and easy-to-use package. The system is portable so it is ideal for short term monitoring applications. It is also flexible enough to be easily integrated into permanent remote monitor stations using auxiliary power and wired or wireless telemetry.

The Series III Blastmate III™ vibration and overpressure monitor provides the user with unprecedented flexibility and reliability for almost any vibration or overpressure monitoring application. A variety of sensors are available including a triaxial velocity sensor, which satisfies the amplitude, frequency and phase response requirements of the DIN 45669-1 standard.

Instantel Blastware® software, the Windows® software companion to your Instantel seismographs, offers powerful, easy-to-use features, for event management, compliance reporting and advanced data analysis – including Signature Hole Analysis.

InstaLink™ Web Based Vibration Monitoring is a complete solution to satisfy the most demanding reporting requirements, effortlessly and cost effectively. Combining the reliability of Instantel instruments with the power of the Internet, InstaLink provides an 'end to end' monitoring solution with safe and secure 24/7 access to your vibration data immediately after it is recorded.

Products used for Blast Monitoring