South Gobi Underground Mass Mining InstituteOptimal Drill and Blast for Underground Mass Mining
SGUMMI COURSECourse Summary
This foundational five-day course is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate underground drilling and blasting (D&B) practices, identify design and implementation vulnerabilities, and support the development of continuous improvement strategies. It covers critical fundamentals and practical tools for implementing leading D&B practices in underground operations, with a focus on Mass Mining methods such as Sublevel Caving and Block/Panel Caving. The course addresses the drilling and blasting process from both development and production perspectives, emphasising key design principles and the role of continuous improvement in enhancing productivity, safety, and minimising environmental impacts. The table below provides a summary of the modules and activities currently considered.
COURSE OVERVIEWCourse Objectives
01
Evaluate site specific D&B techniques applied at your operation.
02
Understand the way in which blasting outcomes are quantified and measured and their impact on the overall value chain.
03
Examine the key components of blasting engineering design and continuous improvement process
04
Apply empirical models to predict blasting outcomes for a set of design parameters.
05
Evaluate supporting technology (drilling, explosives, and accessories) to assess site specific requirements and potential impacts on performance.
06
Identify key data collection strategies to quantify baseline performance from D&B practices.
07
Apply baseline performance data to evaluate and calibrate applicable design techniques.
08
Identify technology requirements and management processes to successfully implement and validate improvement strategies.
TARGET AUDIENCEThis course is ideal for
Early to mid-career mining, geotechnical or geological engineers in underground mining
Mine planning and mine design professionals seeking stronger drill and blast skills
Technical teams supporting mining operations
Current drill and blast engineers who want to upskill and/or reskill.
OUTCOMESKey Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Upskilling and/or reskilling of existing or new personnel
- Opportunity to review current practices and design and support leading practices in D&B.
- A targeted project can be guided and supported through this course by a subject matter specialist in the field
- Industry networking and knowledge sharing
COURSECourse Topics Covered
01
Drill and Blast engineering and the mining value chain
02
Our tool kit - Drilling, explosives and initiation systems
03
Explosive rock interaction and practical damage modelling
04
Design and analysis in development blasting
05
Design and analysis in production blasting
06
Performance monitoring and continuous improvement
07
On-site - Workshop
FORMATDelivery Format
Duration:
5 days
Location:
Oyu Tolgoi Mine, Mongolia
Format:
In-person, expert-led instruction
Structure:
Approximately 60% theoretical content (including case studies), 40% hands-on practical activities
Language:
English
COURSE INSTRUCTORItalo Onederra
Associate Professor Italo Onederra serves as the Director of the Centre for Future Autonomous Systems and Technologies (FAST) at the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering. He leads a research group focused on improving mineral extra ction methods with reduced environmental impact through advanced preconditioning and fragmentation techniques.
Recognised internationally as a specialist in explosives and blasting engineering technology, Italo holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) with honours from the University of Melbourne, and a Master of Engineering Science and PhD from the University of Queensland. With over 25 years of R&D experience and consulting work in Australia, South America, Africa, and Europe, Italo has demonstrated exceptional leadership and impact in both research and industry. He has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and conferences, contributed to technical reports and books, and co-invented novel nitrogen oxide-free explosives based on hydrogen peroxide. Italo is also known for developing fragmentation modelling techniques, which have been incorporated into commercial software used globally by industry and academia, as well as pioneering the use of physics engines in blast movement modelling to improve ore control and maximise recovery.
COURSE FAQFrequently Asked Questions
01/
Who should attend this course?
The course is designed for mining and geotechnical engineers, drill and blast engineers, mine planners, and technical support staff involved in underground mass mining. It is also suitable for professionals seeking to improve blasting performance and integrate design with geotechnical and operational requirements.
02/
What practical skills will I gain?
Participants will learn how to design and optimise drill and blast patterns, evaluate fragmentation and vibration outcomes, and align blasting with cave mining requirements. The course also covers the selection of explosives, timing, and initiation systems, supported by case studies from underground operations.
03/
How is the course delivered?
The course is delivered in person at the Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia. It combines classroom instruction, case-based discussions, and field exercises, ensuring participants can directly apply drill and blast design concepts to underground mining environments.
04/
Do I need prior experience with drill and blast design?
No advanced blasting experience is required. A basic understanding of mining engineering principles is recommended, and all drill and blast concepts are introduced progressively with practical examples.
TESTIMONIALSWhat Our Industry Partners Are Saying
I’ve always been passionate about mining, and SGUMMI offers a unique opportunity to learn directly in the field. The program uses the Oyu Tolgoi mine itself as a training hub, which makes the learning incredibly practical and hands-on. It’s an ideal environment to build real-world skills.
Zaya Baitag
I truly enjoyed the SGUMMI course, which provided valuable insights into geotechnical principles and caving knowledge. The lessons were very practical and went beyond the math to explore the reason behind the concept. We are gaining experience-based knowledge from world-leading experts and professors. I’m very much looking forward to the remaining part of the course.
Batpurev Ganbat
The SGUMMI training is helping me gain a more systematic understanding of underground mass mining. It bridges the gap between theoretical learning and practical applications, and I’m already applying what I learn directly to my daily work. This is supporting my development toward the next step in my career.
Bayar-Erdene Ganbold
SGUMMI has been an amazing chance to learn from top mining experts. The sessions are well-connected and practical, helping me understand cave mining and geomechanics better. Now I feel more confident to grow professionally in this field.
Suvdaa Erdenebayar
This training plays a vital role in strengthening the education sector at a time when near-surface resources are being depleted and the demand for deep mining is increasing. As a young university lecturer, it is a valuable opportunity for me to share with mining company engineers and students what I’ve learned from professors. I am especially grateful for the chance to learn not only from internationally renowned professors but also from world-class practitioners in the mining industry.
Orkhon Erdenebaatar
Course Delivery Months
Planned Delivery:
late Nov/December 2026
Exact dates will be confirmed closer to delivery.