OFFICIAL of electronic detonators, new generations of bulk explosives, and digital platforms for blast design and QA/QC. These innovations have improved precision, reduced variability, and enhanced safety by minimizing on-bench exposure. Despite these advances, blasting remains a critical operation requiring continuous optimization to meet increasingly stringent safety and sustainability standards. Case Overview The present work focuses on the Santa Luz gold mine in Bahia, Brazil, operated by Equinox Gold. Currently, the Santa Luz mine moves around 15 million metric tons of rock per annum (2024-2025 average; internal site data), comprising ore and waste handling. Santa Luz Mine experienced an operational suspension, with production resuming in 2021. Since the restart, the site has prioritized the deployment of advanced technologies to optimize performance, particularly in drill‑and‑blast. The complexity of the orebody geology—which directly influences gold recovery, ambitious production targets, disciplined cost management, and emerging challenges such as developing pits in proximity to sensitive structures have further driven enhancements to blasting practices through the application of technology, purpose‑designed products, and rigorous operational controls. The paper examines three challenges and the corresponding technical responses implemented at Santa Luz. 1. Proximity to sensitive infrastructure (e.g., administrative facilities, water dam) requiring high confidence in design and execution to protect assets and maintain operational continuity. 2. High production targets, demanding efficient drill and blast practices to maintain throughput and cost control. 3. Orebody complexity, with carbonaceous domains that increase dilution risk and affect metallurgical recovery, requiring tighter control of dig boundaries and blends. TECHNICAL APPROACH AND IMPLEMENTATION Approach consists of implementing technical projects to address each of the challenges presented. 1. Controlled blasting near sensitive areas, combining electronic initiation systems, predictive vibration modeling, and real-time QA/QC to maintain structural integrity and operational continuity. 2. Optimization of drilling and blasting through the application of high-energy explosives to expand patterns and reduce powder factor without compromising fragmentation quality. 3. Ore dilution control using three-dimensional blast movement modeling to improve dig-layer boundaries, reducing dilution and increasing blend reliability. Controlled Blasting Near Sensitive Infrastructure
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