Ground Penetrating Radar Solutions

Helix borehole radars (BHR provide significant advantages over other commercially available systems. Our ultra short range and ultra high resolution BHR technology has been proven in the mining sector in a number of  exploration applications. 

Helix has a range of commercially available radars to suite most conventional applications but we also have the capacity to tailor our technology (hardware & software) for specific applications

BHR surveying of  “cover holes” ahead of mechanised mining and surveyed with BHR can identify off-hole water bearing fissures and hazardous and anomalies such as potholes ahead of mining. 

Specifically targeting percussion drilled cover holes close to an ore body, employment of BHR enables smart mining with confidence to ensure “no surprises”. Such holes can be drilled in 2-3 hours using jumbo drill with carousel. Therefore total cover for a month of mining can be provided in two shifts, one to drill and the next shift to BHR survey series of 4-5 holes.  The Information gathered can allow quick changes such as re-directing haulage when anomalies such as pot holes are identified.

Acquisition is either on rods or pushed in by hand. Surveying can be conducted and reported continuously to provide an active blueprint of the ground ahead of mining.

REFLECTION MAPPING OF ROOF STRATA POST-DRILLING, PRE-BLASTING 

BHR can be used to survey top row of breast mining boreholes (~2-3m), drilled into the hanging wall of the UG2 or Merensky to reconstruct without disrupting production, a rolling “ribbon map” of the hanging wall and footwall stringers identifying weaknesses and trends providing critical information to optimize ground support before blasting.

Mapping defects in the future hanging wall allows shift bosses to improve ground control by moving such assets like roof-bolts, re-arranging planned roof bolts and rapid yield pit-props into faulted areas beforeblasting dislodges unstable slabs and keystones. Additionally encroachment of pot holes and doming can also be identified. A ribbon map of each ~2m advance would be collated as face is pushed forward for on-going observation and decision making.

Acquisition could be carried out by shot firer. BHR probe to be inserted into blast holes to check hole is open prior to packing with explosives and simultaneously conducting BHR survey. It is understood that the process of examining blast holes with a rod is already taking place prior to blast therefore probing with radar doesn't create an additional task.

Data download is completed automatically after surveying by placing the radar in a docking station or acquired real time immediately post survey by underground wireless network extracting data from the probe. With minimal user input the “ribbon map” of hanging wall would be visible on a terminal or handheld device instantaneously. User could elect to integrate with previous blast ribbon map for wider area analysis. This can take place within 2 hours of completion of drilling or sooner depending upon communication configuration. 

MAPPING ROOF-ROCK POST BLAST 

BHR surveying of roof bolt holes immediately after drilling delivers critical roof safety information to the drilling team.   It allows the mapping of critical layers, streepies, stringers and detects vertical cracks and partings using goubau waves and evanescent waves sensitive to vertical succession in hanging wall.

Acquisition is completed by manually inserting the Assegai Bolt Hole Radar into bolt holes post drilling by driller or geophysical surveyor. 

Data download would be undertaken automatically after surveying by placing the radar in a docking station or acquired real time immediately post survey by underground wireless network automatically extracting data from probe. 

With minimal user input a “roof integrity map” would be visible on terminal or handheld device  instantaneously. User could elect to integrate with previous roof weather maps for wider area analysis. This should take place within 2 hours of compilation of drilling or sooner depending upon communication configuration.