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By Felix Degold, Mark Ganster

Achieving a customer optimized fragmentation by using robust data from new technologies e.g. GPS positions of boreholes, fragmentation analysis to calibrate the geology and fragmentation prediction models. The inclusion of the collected data into the blast’s design makes it possible to accomplish a desired particle size distribution.

Feb 1, 2020

By Carlos Pañura, Michael Geldres, Alejandro Rojas

The vibration waves are produced by the detonation of the explosive charges of each blasthole, analyzing the vibration waves produced by each blasthole, allow us to determine the optimal time between the detonation of each blasthole to reduce the vibrations of the production shot. Once the optimal time is found, it is possible also, to predict the vibration of the production shot (considering times and sequences) using predictive models. The waveform recorded includes information regarding the particle velocity and the dominant frequencies of the vibration.

Feb 1, 2020

By Lauren Shields

This paper discusses the application of current fragmentation models for underground blasting, establishes a conceptual fragmentation model for underground operations, and discusses the applicability of the mine-to-mill approach for underground blasting. Additionally, this paper also discusses selected case studies where the mine-to-mill approach is applied to underground mining operations.

Feb 1, 2020

By Claudio Lechuga, Carlos Scherpenisse, Juan Rafael Otaiza

From the analysis of drilling process, Block Model information, drilling pattern data and expected fragmentation targets; GBlast® software optimizes the explosive charge design in order to standardize the particle size of each blast.

Feb 1, 2020

By S. Klerkx, R Battulwar, J Valencia, J Sattarvand, E Emami, M. Soleymani Shishvan

A new technology for energy distribution optimization, supported by NIOSH.

Feb 1, 2020

By Cesar Guerra, Alejandro Rojas, Dr. Jhon Silva, Luis Velasquez

The ANN method is applied to predict the P_80 size in one open pit gold mine in Peru. The ANN was implemented in Matlab programming language, and the results from the ANN are compared with data obtained using photo-fragmentation analysis software.

Feb 1, 2020

By Harley Cheema, Brandon Fryman, John Tatom

A new magazine propagation model has been proposed by the IMESAFR Science Panel for eventual implementation into the IMESAFR QRA program. Initial results from this QRA propagation model are now available.

Feb 1, 2020

By Dr. Calvin J. Konya, Anthony Konya

Blast violence has always been a criteria that has been analyzed without a quantitative approach relying on opinions of those viewing the blast and oftentimes does not transfer between open-pit mines, quarries, and construction projects. Added to this confusion is that on many regulate projects, such as U.S. Army Corp of Engineers construction projects, the definition of "flyrock" or violence can vary, and contractors must be able to meet this requirement. This project analyzed hundreds of blasts from various construction projects to develop a new metric to determine blast violence - the Violence Factor.

Feb 1, 2020

By Ethan Steward, Kyle Perry

To test the effects of impact on mine seals, a projectile generator and two seals have been constructed. The projectile generator is a 12-inch (30.5 cm) inner diameter steel pipe with a 4-inch (10 cm) wall, is 8.5 feet (2.6 m) in length, and sealed on one end. Projectiles are propelled by a charge of black powder with a wooden wad and are held in place by foam sabots in the bore. This system, combined with the large bore, allows firing of many different potential projectiles that may be found in an underground mine at a high velocity into the seals.

Feb 1, 2020

By Ricardo González Dumuihual, Carlos Scherpenisse

A monitoring campaign to record dynamic pressures generated by detonation of a single blasthole was implemented at Barrick Gold´s Pueblo Viejo Open Pit mine (PVDC), located in the Dominican Republic . Pressure amplitudes beyond the dynamic compressive strength of the electronic detonator´s capsules have the potential to damage these electronic devices, generating misfires along with all the associated risks and entailed safety implications. In most instances, misfires generated from high dynamic pressures are a direct consequence of drilling deviations resulting in blasthole distances smaller than originally designed.

Feb 1, 2020

By Ulf Nyberg, Changping Yi, Daniel Johansson, Håkan Schunnesson

To investigate the non-ideal detonation properties of aluminized emulsion explosive, a series of tests for an emulsion explosive with 5% aluminum powder additive were carried out with mortar confinement. The velocity of detonation (VoD) and the curvature of the detonation front for different charge diameters were obtained from the tests with a high-speed camera

Feb 1, 2020

By Enver Alan

In this study of applied explosives engineering the blasting applications are evaluated, which were carried out for research and development purposes at Yenisahra Station tunnels in Kartal Formation which was built with the aim of solving İstanbul's transportation problem within the framework of the Kadıköy-Kartal Metro Project. Twenty-four shots were made by using explosives in 60 blastholes that were drilled in the tunnel faces, which were located between and outside of two different faults. S

Feb 1, 2020

By Matias Suarez, Diego Zenteno

This paper is aimed to display the new advancements of blasting engineering done in different mining sites throughout the country, associated to electronic sequencing, energy of the explosive and its impact on the fragmented rock. This document explains how to define and implement selective sequencing in the blasting in order to promote the propagation of cracks, therefore impacting positively the productivity through the use of the LaGrange diagram. The LaGrange diagram is a very convenient and illustrative method to present the dynamic behavior associated with wave and crack propagation (Rossmanith. H, 2002).

Feb 1, 2020

By H. S. Venkatesh, G. Gopinath, R. Balachander, G. C. Naveen

Punatsangchu Hydroelectric Project Authority is constructing 1020 MW underground hydroelectric project in Bhutan. The project envisages construction of concrete dam, Desilting Chamber, Head Race Tunnel, Power House Complex and Tail Race Tunnel. Tunneling is one of the major activity in any underground projects as they are driven for multiple activities. By and large the tunnels are a major part of connecting networks from surface to caverns/underground working sites. Many tunnels in hydropower project are part of water conducting systems and one such important tunnel is the Tail Race Tunnel in this project and had to be excavated in thinly foliated rockmass conditions by D&B method.

Feb 1, 2020

By Robert McClure, Carlton Lehman

Rendering safe explosives in an urban environment presents a unique challenge due to the safety concerns and disruption to the general public. Potential damage to the surrounding homes, businesses, utilities and transportation infrastructure are some of the major concerns when planning the render-safe operation. Engineering controls to mitigate blast effects, such as damaging air over pressure levels, material ejection and ground borne vibration, need to be implemented as part of the operation. Monitoring of seismic and air overpressure during these operations are needed to protect against potential claims when controlled or unplanned detonations occur.

Feb 1, 2020

By Tapan Goswami

This paper discusses the importance of coal mapping, the rock properties of the roof and floor interface of the coal seam, and the significance of loading and initiating designs in minimising coal damage. Furthermore, the importance of using electronic initiators cannot be emphasised enough. This paper also discusses how a cast blast can be initiated from many locations by mitigating geological abnormalities and thereby avoiding spatial movement of rock shearing in a plane above the coal seam.

Feb 1, 2020

By Gregory B. Poole

Data collected with 16K sampling at a variety of blasting sites (construction, quarry, trench, mine) and monitoring locations was analyzed to effectively show the 16 different 1K readings all based on the microsecond that the unit went into monitoring.

Feb 1, 2020

By Dennys Huaman, Carlos Rojas

Using the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm to reparametrize the Kuz-Ram original model equation of the mean characteristic size and assess the errors of both models and their comparisson using different statistics measures like chi-squared or relative error with the usage of the Monte-Carlo algorithm.

Feb 1, 2020

By Javier Castaneda, Luis Zozaya, Noel Huarachi, María Rocha

The objective of the project was to implement and calibrate drill and blast models supported by Geotechnical and Geological models as well as the mine and operation characteristics. The models would then be migrated to HxGN Blast to ensure a productive process that is simplified, digitized and optimized.

Feb 1, 2020

By Dominic C, Gregory B. Poole

On December 12, 2018 at 4:14 AM EST, an earthquake registering a 4.4 magnitude on the Richter Scale occurred in central Tennessee. According to a survey posted on the USGS website, this earthquake was felt throughout the southeast and even as far away as Arnold Nebraska. That’s over 900 miles (1,448 kilometers) from the epicenter. We recorded the vibrations from this earthquake on 44 different seismographs that were set up with remote access to continuously monitor vibrations from blasting activities. Having this data gave us an opportunity to compare the vibrations caused by earthquakes and blasting. A simple observation of the amplitudes, frequencies, and durations is enough to notice that vibrations from earthquakes are very different than vibrations caused by blasting in mining and construction

Feb 1, 2020