1976 fragmentation translated to faster loading, stabilizing the feed conditions for downstream processes and offering potential secondary benefits such as increasing mining production without increases in fleet or workforce, once with wider patterns the same structure can blast more material. 4.3 Ore Dilution Control Using Blast Movement Modeling Performance was monitored through the site’s monthly reconciliation of excavated volumes using topographic surveys and production data, with attention to the waste‑to‑ore ratio, average mining grade, and dilution percentage. Measurements from each blast were compared with the modeled post‑blast dig‑layers, and the findings were fed back into subsequent blasts to refine boundaries and maintain consistency in execution. As presented in Figure 134, during the first twelve months of application (2024), average dilution decreased to 10.9%, improving from 18.4% measured in the second half of 2023 (Baseline). Alongside dilution reduction, the site reported more reliable blended grade delivered to the crusher, and the processing plant achieved approximately US$ 840,000 in savings over the same period (12 months). These outcomes confirm that mining against optimized post‑blast dig‑layers produced by three‑dimensional blast movement modeling materially reduces dilution and stabilizes feed quality under Santa Luz’s domain variability. Figure 133 - Blast movement modelling for grade control performed in OREPro™ 3D Figure 134 – Dilution data Operationally, success relied on upfront TOC‑based classification of mineralized lithologies, disciplined execution to the modeled boundaries during excavation of the post‑blast dig‑layers, and feedback‑driven adjustments after measurement. The approach has been incorporated into routine grade‑control practice and is transferable to benches and pits where blast‑induced displacement and ore/waste contacts significantly affect reconciliation, provided local geologic domains and plant blend 11.8 10.4 11.3 10.2 6.3 9.7 8.6 14.7 6.7 9.8 8.0 4.4 15.0 18.4 10.9 4.0 8.0 12.0 16.0 20.0 Jan-24 Feb-24 Mar-24 Apr-24 May-24 Jun-24 Jul-24 Aug-24 Sep-24 Oct-24 Nov-24 Dec-24 Monthly Dilution (%) Target Dilution (%) Baseline (%) Annual Dilution (%)
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