Updated system captures, analyzes blasthole data

By Kevin Yanik| July 27, 2023

Xplolog provides data to track trends and continuously improve the quality of blasts. Photo: BME

BME launched a new version of its Xplolog system for capturing and analyzing data on blastholes and decks.

BME, which is part of Omnia’s mining segment, developed Xplolog as a tool for mines to monitor their block progress in real time, providing data to track trends and continuously improve the quality of blasts.

According to BME, Xplolog users helped to guide the development of the next-generation product. The result is a system that’s more user-friendly, scalable and streamlined with other BME digital solutions.

“We engaged our Xplolog users in a highly systematic way to inform us at every step of our upgrade process,” says Christiaan Liebenberg, BME product manager of software solutions. “After our first structured interviews with users, for instance, we developed mock-ups and wireframes that we could take back to the user group for further testing. This approach was even taken into the design and prototype stages, ensuring that the system was in many ways actually built by the users.”

With the design and application code built from the ground up – and with a new and upgraded database using Google Cloud – BME says Xplolog’s performance is enhanced. The capacity of the system can also be rapidly increased, the company adds, allowing for better scalability.

Now, customers can have a site set up within a matter of hours.

“Security has been improved through a more robust log-in and registration process,” Liebenberg adds.

Also, Liebenberg says users will appreciate how everything is centralized in the latest version.

“Another important aspect of our upgrade is that users can easily customize their dashboards, creating a personalized view of block information important to the user,” Liebenberg says.

Customized reports can be created and saved, allowing users to return to a recurring daily, weekly or monthly report each week or month as required. Additionally, a summary view of block data is visible to track progress at a quick glance for the user.

“We have also given users the ability to better visually track block progress with the creative use of colors and iconography,” Liebenberg says.

According to BME, Xplolog integrates with other company offerings such as its blast planning software (Blastmap), as well as to third-party blast software. Integrated with BME’s memory management units (MMUs), the company says Xplolog allows the MMU operator to charge and top up holes accurately from the source application.

“Our new version of Xplolog continues to raise the bar in leveraging digital technology,” Liebenberg says. “Our software engineering team continues to add new features and implement continuous improvements as we receive feedback from users of the system in the field – to help mines operate more efficiently, cost-effectively and safely.”