Surface  Stemming Solutions

Reduce risk, increase efficiency and deliver better blasting outcomes

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Reduce risk, increase efficiency and deliver better blasting outcomes --

STEMGEL™ - LRC

Overview and Specifications

What is STEMGEL™ LRC?

STEMGEL™ is formed when water is trapped within a water-attracting (hydrophillic) polymer network.

STEMGEL’S™ unique formula comprises a liquid reagent and specialty polymer blend which, when added to water, inverts to form a solid hydrogel with a large attenuation coefficient.

STEMGEL™ works by attenuating up to 98% of the pressure shockwave within the STEMGEL™. The compressive shock waves are reflected by the STEMGEL™ and become a tension wave with almost equal force as the initial compressive wave, pushing back into the formation and causing increased rock fragmentation. The result is an increase in the effectiveness of the blast through retention of energy within the blast hole to substantially increase fragmentation.

STEMGEL™’S powerful attenuating properties make it effective for Strata Decking. A layer of STEMGEL™ between explosive layers, provides a ‘constant’ material that successfully attenuates pressure waves generated during the blast. The result is greater control of blast energy at each layer of the rock formation.

Applications and Benefits

Aggregate vs STEMGEL™

Most surface mines and quarries tend to use aggregate for their stemming.

Delivery, removal and handling of aggregates pose operational challenges. Incorrect stemming practices with aggregate may also lead to fly rock.

STEMGEL™ offers an effective, efficient and low impact alternative to aggregate stemming.

STEMGEL™ has consistently proven to attenuate the blast pressure wave by 98% over a distance of 200mm of STEMGEL ™ in blast holes, ranging in size from 38mm to 270mm.

STEMGEL™ attenuates and reflects the blast energy waves back into the formation to enhance rock fragmentation and explosive efficiency in a consistent and predicable manner.

The Surface Applications: Open Pits, Quarries and Civil Blasting

Source: Dalcore Mining Services, 2024

STEMGEL™ LRC is an ideal solution for surface blasthole stemming in applications such as:

Stem Decking

STEMGEL™ is a polymer gel can can be pumped into the hole. It’s properties mean that you can effectively stem through bad ground or avoid damaging the good ground you want to recover by stemming or decking around it.

Reducing Potential of Flyrock from Aggregate Ejection

Flyrock is a major risk when blasting near to populated areas, or near to critical infrastructure.
If not applied correctly, aggregate may be ejected from a blasthole during a blast resulting in fly rock.

STEMGEL™ is offers an alternative to stemming with aggregates.

Down the hole Water Reduction

The composition of STEMGEL™ can be altered on site to suit its application and can be used as an agent to absorb excess water in the subdrill toe of the hole.

Effective Stemming of Oversize

STEMGEL™ is easy to apply either with the STEMGUN or with a hose from a delivery truck or system. The stemming of oversize allows for the reduction in extra drilling, explosives, aggregates, flyrock which in turn saves time and money.

Stemming of oversize achieves cost savings for quarries and enables more efficient operations with less down time when handling oversize.

Cost Savings

STEMGEL™ offers Possible reduction of subdrill height and Stemming height and a Reduction in Dust Generation meaning a reduction in dust suppression measures. Reduction of oversize, and reduction in material handling costs associated with aggregates for stemming.

The Benefits

The physical nature of STEMGEL™ hydrogel and its delivery systems and it’s effectiveness in reflecting blast energy back into the formation, brings major benefits in safety, productivity and efficiency.

Potential benefits include but are not limited to:

  • Better rock fragmentation due to the effectiveness of STEMGEL™ to reflect

  • Reduced risk from vehicle interactions on the bench as the stemming is pumped through a hose that can be extended to various parts of the bench to deliver the STEMGEL™ from a stationary vehicle.

  • Reduced risk of toe and elevated floor problems as a result of water impacting the performance of explosives in the sub drill.

  • Reduced risk of cut offs due to damage from stemming materials

  • Cost Savings

    STEMGEL™ offers Possible reduction of subdrill height and Stemming height and a Reduction in Dust Generation meaning a reduction in dust suppression measures. Reduction of oversize, and reduction in material handling costs associated with aggregates for stemming.

Trials and Results

Trial Blasting of Oversize in a Quarry in Australia

Results

  • Notice Blast Energy confined within rock, resulting in excellent fragmentation occurring before Gas Blast

  • Pressure blows rock sideways.

  • Notice hydrogel water vapour ejection

  • Very little dust generation.

Trial Blasting of Surface Operations in Australia

Results

  • STEMGEL™ ejected as vapour aids in dust control. , dust monitors and dust plume analysis have recorded dust numbers and density at levels 65% 80% less than comparative blasts.

  • STEMGEL™ effectively and consistently confining blast energy resulting in improved fragmentation.

  • Mine site results has shown that STEMGEL™ gives greater fragmentation and reported improved ore dig rates of 14% - 17% increase over average, on separate trials at different mine sites.

Information and Enquiries

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