RINGS is an interactive graphics program that allows the design, editing and display of underground blasthole layouts. Designs are produced which are within the physical limitations of the drill rig and the drilling excavations. RINGS is suitable for blasthole design with any stoping method, even if drilling 'rings' are not used. RINGS can generate reports of both drilling and charging information.

Rings Setup

Rings Setup is where the Rings Project is established, Section Definitions are setup, and the Rig Definitions and Project Settings are specified. If you have existing Section Definitions defined in Mine2-4D that are useful you can select them here. Project Settings For each individual project, the following must be defined: Hole Conventions: setup convention for dip and degrees Measurements: identification of the unit dimensions used for your drill rig and design Geological Evaluation: identification of block model and other parameters for evaluation Charging Material: setup of charging material parameters.

Select Drift Limit

The first stage of the actual design process is to specify which planned or actual excavation boundaries from the current ring section to respect as drilling limits. Boundary Definition options include selection of the initial drill drift limit and the design (stope) limit. The rig may be positioned within the drill drift as required, usually with reference to a survey string; automatic error checking ensures that the rig is positioned fully within the drill drift.

Charging the Holes

The interval in the blastholes to be loaded with charge can be identified interactively by defining the top and bottom of the charge column with the cursor, or by an automatic algorithm (choice of three) which may be used to control details such as stemming distance.