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By Trevor Howie, Mal Edwards

"Thiess Contractors Pty Ltd. designed and operate the Mt Owen Mine in the Hunter Valley of NewSouth Wales, Australia on behalf of the owners of the mine, BHP Coal Pty Ltd. The mine is a multiseam open cut coal operation. Mining by Thiess commenced in September 1996 following thecompletion of the coal preparation plant. The location of the mine is shown below on Figure Al."

Jan 1, 1997

By Mark S. Stagg, David E. Siskind

The mining industry occasionally blasts near pressurized transmission pipelines and has requested guidance of safe vibration levels and setback distances. the Bureau of Mines and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources cooperated with AMAX Coal Company on a study of coal mine overburden blasting. Five buried and pressurized 250-ft pipeline sections were specifically installed on the Minnehaha Mine highwall near Sullivan, IN for testing to failure. Four welded steel pipes ranging from 6- to 20- in diameter and one 8- PVC water supply pipe were monitored for vibration, strain, and internal pressure for a period of 6 months while production blasting advanced up to the pipeline field. In contrast to previous studies of small-scale blasting representing construction activities, these tests involved overburden blasts of up to 2100 lb per delay in 12-l/4-in diameter holes.

Jan 1, 1996

By Harry: Lobb Verakis

Mining operations have made tremendous strides in improving the safety of blasting as shown by the significant and continual decrease in fatalities and serious injuries. Advances in blasting technology and blasting practices have played a significant role in reducing fatalities and injuries. However, even with the decline of fatalities and injuries blast area security continues to be by far the leading factor in blasting accidents. Even though there continues to be an increase in the use of industrial explosives and blasting agents in the U.S.A., the decline in fatalities and injuries from blasting accidents has persisted.

Jan 1, 2010

By Bibhu Mohanty, Sheng Huang

Accurate measure of fragment size distribution is a key objective in all blasting and crushing operations. Several generic distribution functions have been devised to describe the degree of fragmentation for the representative range of fragments from selected measurements. The application of four distribution functions, i.e. Rosin-Rammler, Swebrec, Grady and Gilvarry, in describing fragment size distribution of impact-induced fragmentation of a limestone rock has been investigated. A modified Hopkinson Pressure Bar experimental set-up is used to control both impact velocity and energy input into the target rock. The feed size in the sample holder is varied from 6.35mm to 15.88mm in three ranges and the impact velocity up to 14m/s. The size distribution in the product is determined by sieve analysis for a range of impacts. The experimental results are fitted to the four distribution functions to examine their relative accuracy and reliability.

Jan 1, 2016

By Gregory B. Poole

As part of a $3.5 billion program to improve the antiquated waste water system in the city of Atlanta, the Nancy Creek Tunnel is being constructed across the northwest portion of the city. This tunnel is over eight miles long and is being constructed using Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) for the majority of the tunnel and conventional drilling and blasting for three shafts, starter and tail tunnels and four connecting tunnels, totaling 2400 feet in length. An extensive public relations program was developed for this project. A group effort by the owner, engineer and contractor produced a public relations program that both informed and educated the public of the anticipated perceptions and effects of the blasting and TBM activities.

Jan 1, 2005

By John E. Wiegand

This study will discuss the AMAX Coal Co., Penndiana Pipeline Project, which was conducted in conjunction with the following parties: AMAX Coal Industries, (U.S.B.O.M.) United States Bureau of Mines, (I.D.O.R.) Indiana Division of Reclamation, Ohio Valley Pipeline, Inc., New Mexico Tech, and ourselves, VIBRONICS, INC., Evansville, Indiana. The purpose of this study was to find a safe vibration level for active gas transmission pipelines near surface coal operations.

Jan 1, 1994

By Chulgi Suk, Hoon Park, Hyonsoo Kim, Hakman Kim, Sangho Cho

Dust emission from blast demolition and other construction activities can be a nuisance; it is widely recognized that fine particles less than 10 µm in equivalent diameter (called PM10) may cause health problems. Mist spray systems, such as rain guns, sprinklers, water/surfactant sprays (or foams) etc., are some of the most effective dust suppression methods. A large amount of research has showed that when water droplets are produced in an equal amount to that of dust particles, the airborne dust is suppressed by the agglomeration of dust and mist particles. A method for generating micro-sized mist from water, achieved by the detonation of explosives in the water tube, was suggested and is called the ‘detonationdriven water bag burst system’. There are many experimentally observed limitations of the explosioninduced water break-up process. The water bag explosion tests were simulated using the AUTODYN software, in order to investigate the aerosolization mechanisms of the detonation-driven water and water break-up process into micron-sized droplets. As a result of the numerical analyses, the diffusion direction of water when detonating in the central interior part of water tube was radioactive and significantly stronger than when detonating in the bottom exterior part; this is due to the compressive flow of the volume change inside of the water tube, which resulted from the blasting wave inside of the tube, as well as the reflected pressure on the ground. Blast tests of full-scaled reinforced concrete columns were conducted to verify the effectiveness of the suggested detonation-driven water bag burst system. The water breakdown and dispersion that occurred while blasting the reinforced concrete columns were observed using a high-speed camera, and dust generation was monitored using four density detectors. The suggested detonation-driven water bag burst system showed that the average dust density decreased by up to 7 mg/m3.

Jan 1, 2016

By Douglas A. Anderson

Much progress has been made in understanding the forward process for blast vibration simulation: that is, how to create a resultant seismogram from an empirically determined seed waveform. What has not been successfully investigated to date is the reverse process: Determining the contribution of each borehole to the resultant seismogram. It might seem that these should be two sides of the same coin, but the reverse process is much more complicated. That is because the source, geological path, and receiver contributions must be unraveled and then dissected. If that can be done, a relationship can be developed between the seismic source properties and the explosive interaction with the surrounding rock. This paper presents a first step in the unraveling process, through analysis of blast seismograms using wavelet transforms.

Jan 1, 2013

By Wawa Jaka Sungkawa, Slamet Rachman Jaka, Tom Dermody

Nowadays, with such a focus on environmental protection, surface mining activities have come under pressure to ensure their activities do not adversely affect the local surroundings. As part of the extractive process, blasting activities are an integral part of a mining company’s operational cycle. Consequently achieving beneficial blast results while complying with environmental requirements has become a key focus. This especially is the case when firing blasts within close proximity of residents where additional control measures need to be implemented to control vibration. One case where this occurs in Indonesia is in the Paringin Pit, one of the operational areas of the company's. The pit has complex geological conditions and is surrounded by several residential areas. Between 2014 to 2017 there were 12 cases of ground vibration exceedance due to blasting. As part of a continuous improvement project the company's targeted minimizing the vibration exceedance in this area. A project was undertaken to research and develop a method to confidently predict vibration. It was decided that the scaled distance formulas were not adequate to predict vibration when using non-electric detonators, as accurate wave propagation could not be achieved. The problem is how to manage of complex geology condition related with wave propagation in ground vibration control. Geological condition mapping with specific spatial range can and combine with Signature Hole Analysis be a solution to make wave propagation easier to accommodate in ground vibration control. With this new approach geological condition mapping with specific spatial range was produced that would minimize vibration while ensuring beneficial blast results. Introducing the new prediction produced nil cases of vibration exceedance in 2018 and beyond and proved that the Signature Hole Analysis in specific spatial range of geological condition is the preferred method to optimize blast result and maintain vibration control.

By H. Wallin, I. G. Wallace, J. Akhavan, E. Nilsson

Over the past three years the UK together with Sweden, Norway, Finland, Italy have been taking part in a EU funded Leonardo da Vinci programme. More recently EFEE have participated in the project known as the EU15/10/200715/10/2007Excert project which is aimed at addressing the perceived loss of explosives expertise in several EU nations. This could have implications for explosives safety and industrial competitiveness. The paper outlines the work that has so far been done in phase 1 and describes the work planned for the second phase of the project. The paper will describe work in the UK to develop competencies for all explosives workers in both the civil and defence sectors. These competencies in the form of National Occupational Standards have now been approved in the UK and are accompanied by a range of 24 new National Vocational Qualifications launched in May 2006. The paper will show how the standards define knowledge and skills and how these form the basis for vocational qualifications as well as higher education awards and professional qualifications. This UK initiative is now being considered in other EU countries and the project has now been extended to also include Germany, France, Portugal, Czech Republic, Lithuania and Estonia. To support the occupational standards and qualifications work is also being carried out to improve learning provision in the explosives area. In addition to formal educational and conventional training courses a series of workplace learning initiatives are being pursued as well as internet learning packages. Examples of these initiatives will be given.

Jan 1, 2008

By Jessie L. Bonner, W. Stephen Blomberg, Mark Leidig, Heather Hooper

Understanding the effects of the bench on ground motion can improve the design of cast blasts and achieve improved blast efficiency while remaining below vibration requirements. A new dataset recorded in September 2003 from a coal mine in Arizona has allowed us to examine the excitation of short-period Rayleigh-type surface waves from four simultaneously-detonated explosions in and below a topographic bench of a mine. The explosions were recorded on a network of over 150 seismic sensors, providing an extensive understanding of the ground motion radiation patterns from these explosions. We detonated two separate explosions (~3 tons and ~1.5 tons ANFO) in the deepest pit of the mine, thus the explosions were shot to solid rock. Within 25 meters of these two explosions, we detonated two additional explosions of similar explosive yields in a bench, thus these explosions were shot to the free face. Radiation patterns and spectral ratios from the explosions show increased amplitudes (by a factor of 1.5 to 2) at azimuths behind the bench relative to the amplitudes in front of the bench. We compared these findings to seismic observations from two ~1.5 million pound cast blasts at the same mine and found similar radiation patterns. Modeling of these blasts shows that the variations in ground motion are caused by the topographic bench as a result of 1) horizontal spalling of the rock falling into the pit and 2) non- linear scattering near the free- face. We also note that shooting to a buffer (previously blasted rock) causes the azimuthal variations to be significantly reduced.

Jan 1, 2005

By Rapheal Trousselle

For over 5 years, Davey Bickford has been developing and testing an electronic detonator blasting system. These new-technology detonators provide more accurate timing than conventional systems that rely on the combustion speed of a pyrotechnic composition.

Jan 1, 1997

By Josee Boudreau

Transport Canada has regulatory requirements that pertain to the transportation of explosives. An important component includes the requirement for an approved Emergency Response Assistance Plan (ERAP). The ERAP may be traced to the recommendations made by Justice Grange following the enquiry into the Mississauga train derailment of December 1979. Justice Grange recommended that any shipper of dangerous goods must have a plan to control any release of dangerous goods in the event of an accident, and that the plan must be submitted to the Minister and approved by the Minister or by an organisation or person designated by the Minister. The right to ship could be withdrawn at any time if the plan is found inadequate either in its conception or in its operation.

Jan 1, 2010

By M Scoble

This paper will report on the application of data collected through the performance monitoring of large diameter surface rotary blasthole drii and electric mining shovels, in an integrated approach to blast optimizatiion.

Jan 1, 1992

By Tom Treleaven

The widening of the Panama Canal to approximately 130 feet (40 m) for its entire length began just a few years ago. The original expansion program was slated for completion in 18 to 20 years, but has recently been reduced for completion within the next four years. This means that a tremendous amount of blasting at simultaneous points along the canal, by both the Panama Canal Commission (PCC) and many subcontractors, is necessary to achieve the new completion deadline. The accelerated program also imposed many logistical concerns, since marine trafIic is always heavy and cannot be stopped for blasting. Because some of the large and heavy cargo vessels clear the bottom of the canal by only about 6 feet ( 2 m), the blasting cannot result in any large boulders into the center of the canal, for fear of grounding and damaging a vessel, not to mention the traffic delays and lost income of approximately 1 to 2 million dollars per day.

Jan 1, 1997

By Alastair Grogan

In October of 2002, the author was retained by Public Works and Government Services Canada, on behalf of the Department of National Defense, to design, construct and test the effectiveness of a bubble curtain system at an underwater demolition range, near Victoria, BC. The purpose of the bubble curtain was to reduce the potential for fish mortalities at the site. This paper presents some of the elements of the design, along with the results of overpressure monitoring during blasting and compares the results of fish mortality and animal behaviors with and without the bubble curtain in operation.

Jan 1, 2005

By Randall M. Wheeler

Using Computer software to analyze and interpret blast vibration effects has never been so practical. Fully digital seismographs and powerful desktop and portable computers have led to the development of fast and easy to use analysis software. This workshop will focus on new Microsoft Windows-based blast vibration analysis programs developed by White Industrial Seismology, Inc. The Windows point and click graphical environment is ideal for developing full-featured and yet intuitive software.

Jan 1, 1994

By Michael Allen, Paul Worsey

In underground blasting, the pull of the initial cut is the limiting factor for the success of the rest of the round. By improving the pull of the first cut, a critical step is made towards improving the entire round. This project attempted to optimize a burn cut’s effective pull by varying the depths of the relief holes in the burn. The effect of varying the depths of the relief holes was investigated, including depths longer than that of the cut’s charged holes. The overall objective was to consistently achieve greater pull than in a standard burn, using an identical amount of explosives. Increased pull results in savings of both time and cost in underground heading advance.

Jan 1, 2015

By Chris Breeds, Ken Johnston, Omar Fulton

This paper describes the process typically involved with obtaining permits for quarry blasting in urban, suburban, and rural areas, including: content of SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) driven documentation; regulatory review and comment; public interaction; public hearing(s); periodic regulatory review(s); negotiated solutions; monitoring; and the role of public interaction, demonstration(s), and education in the process. Case studies will be presented of projects undertaken in the State of Washington that illustrate the approach and regulatory interaction as well as the importance of public interaction throughout the process. Reference will be made to the role of national and state regulations and local codes and ordinances that provide additional limitations on blasting practice. The paper will also present regional blast monitoring data that are used in the permitting process and the layout and design of blast monitoring systems typically required as conditions of the quarrying permit. Our presentation will include tools, which we have developed to assist with explaining blast related phenomenon to both regulators and the public.

Jan 1, 2003

By Douglas Bartley, Robert McClure

This paper discusses the advances in programmable, testable high accuracy electronic detonator technology. The operation and safety of electronic detonator systems are required to meet rigid safety standards and withstand the demanding environment of in-field applications. These requirements are discussed through comments on existing safety requirements in Europe.

Jan 1, 2000