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By Roberto Golchi

This article describes the method used to quantify the Environmental Impact for the mining, by drilling and blasting, of a borrow pit for a gravity-dam. The affected environment was broken down into a number of components, such as public health and safety, social relationship, air and water quality, flora and fauna. The effect of the various impacting factors from the mining activities, both directly and indirectly, was then calculated for each environmental component. To do this, each impacting factor was first given a magnitude, a number based solely on the range of scenarios possible for the impacting factor. A matrix of weighting factors was then derived to systematically quantify, and normalise, the effects of each impacting factor on each environmental component. The overall impact upon each individual environmental component was then calculated by summing the weighted magnitudes for all the impacting factors.

Jan 1, 2003

By Jeff Peterson, Alastair Grogan

During the winter of 2001/2002, a number of seismic exploration projects were carried out in the Mackenzie River Delta area of the Northwest Territories, in Canada. The purpose of the seismic projects was to identify potential drilling targets for subsequent drilling programs, using explosives as a seismic source. Recent changes to fisheries regulations meant that blasting under lakes, the Mackenzie River and offshore from the delta, was not allowed to induce water overpressures in excess of 100 kPa in these water bodies, and that a water overpressure monitoring program had to be conducted to confirm that this requirement was being met. This paper describes the water overpressure monitoring program on one of the exploration projects, presents the results of the monitoring, and discusses the challenges of carrying out this work in the middle of an arctic winter.

Jan 1, 2003

By Norman Paley

A blasting project was undertaken at the Teck Alaska Red Dog Mine in 2005 to 2007 to determine the extent that using electronic detonators could increase Semi-Autogenous Grinding (SAG) mill throughput. The results of that project were reported at the 2010 ISEE Annual Conference. This paper is a postscript to that project and provides the fragmentation resulting from the implementation of a 15% pattern expansion using electronic detonators.

Jan 1, 2012

By James Rowland, Isaac Zlochower, Richard Mainiero, Michael Sapko

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) carried out exploratory laboratoryscale studies to identify factors that may contribute to nitrogen oxides (NOx) production associated with non-ideal detonation of blasting agents. Explosive admixture with drill cuttings, loss of fuel oil in ammonium nitrate and fuel oil (ANFO) from wicking, ammonium nitrate dissolution with water, degree of explosive confinement, ANFO density, and critical diameter were identified as contributing factors to increased NOx production under the laboratory test conditions. Experiments were also conducted to examine the effectiveness of various additives in reducing the NOx production from ANFO, emulsion, and ANFO/emulsion blends. Aluminum powder, coal dust, urea, and excess fuel oil in ANFO formulations were tested and were found to reduce both the nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) production. Fumes measurements were obtained in the NIOSH underground closed chamber from the detonation of 4.5-kg (10 lbs) charges in schedule 80 seamless steel pipe and from detonations in light weight galvanized steel stove pipe. Some exploratory tests were also conducted with 0.8-kg (1.8 lbs) charges of pulverized ANFO initiated with 0.08-kg (0.18 lbs), 50/50 (Pentolite) boosters (in the NIOSH 12-ft (3.7-m) diameter steel sphere) to measure the degree of fumes production associated with post-detonation oxidation. Ammonium nitrate, emulsion and Pentolite boosters were also detonated in an oxygen-poor environment.

Jan 1, 2002

By Ricardo Dr. Chavez, Mathieu Lachamp, Rob Dr. Farnfield

Pueblo Viejo is an open pit gold mine in the Dominican Republic which is always looking forward to implement the newest technology in the industry to improve all processes. Focusing on one of the pillars of the department and our company, digitalization, we’ve been looking for the technologies that allow us the automation of data generation, supervision and process innovation. That’s where a new Drill and Blast software takes place, helping to integrate the process from the beginning to end, right after the pattern is designed until it’s blasted, allowing us to track results like vibration, fragmentation, performance, cost and inventory of each blast in a single platform. The software helps engineers to generate back analysis by blast, bench, pit, month and many other ways, in a timely friendly manner. Therefore, we can catch business opportunities and improvement for the drilling and blasting process.

Jan 1, 2019

By Jorge Alvarez

In a large-scale open-pit mining operation, continuous efforts are made to control damage to the slope walls. An essential tool in this effort is determining the PPVc (critical peak particle velocity) in areas of interest. By knowing this value and generating criteria, drilling and blasting designs can be established to reduce vibrations that affect wall construction. It is crucial to understand that the PPVc changes as different mining phases develop, especially due to exploitation on the benches, which leads to vertical inherited damage. Therefore, it is imperative to regularly update the PPVc based on field tests that provide accurate data. With this information, vibration damage criteria can be established, and drilling and blasting techniques can be designed to minimize the impact on the remaining rock mass. This document presents a methodology for generating scaled criteria that best represent the reality of the rock mass.

Jan 21, 2025

By Thierry Bernard, Pierre M. Vuillaume, Michel Kiszlo

"In the context of its studies for the trench ministry of the environment and for the French national coal board, INERIS (the French institute for the industrial environment and hazards, formerly CERCHAR) has made a complete critical survey of the methods generally used to reduce the levels of blastingvibrations."

Jan 1, 1996

By Ron Gilbert

Every day, demand increases with over all population; supply must follow. People must have more food, shelter, and mobility. Raw materials must be mined. Roads, trenches and foundations support the quality of life.

Jan 1, 1996

By G Mendoza, L Taddei, C Robertson

It is a well-known industry fact that many mine sites around the globe experience blast holes that have elevated temperatures due to reactive ground, geochemical reactions, geomorphic reactions, sub level open fires, etc. It has been reported in many previous industry publications (White, Saputra et al) that elevated blast hole temperatures are a norm at many mine sites and are dealt with on an ongoing basis while the drill and blast process continues under elevated states of alert. The choice of explosives products including the type of detonator, primer, accessory, and bulk product all must be taken into consideration when loading blast holes where there is a known potential for elevated temperature conditions. It should also be noted that these elevated temperatures inside blast holes can be consistent throughout the blast hole length or vary in position within the blast hole depending on the mine conditions mentioned in the opening statement above. The risks associated with the loading of primers and bulk explosives in holes where elevated temperatures are present include: the ejection of the bulk explosives product, deflagration of the explosives during initiation of the blast or premature and uncontrolled initiation of a blast hole(s). This paper describes a unique and novel approach to the active monitoring of the temperature within blast holes with the application of electronic detonators with integrated temperature measuring (ITM) capabilities, deployed and demonstrated at a mine site in Mexico during January 2023 to March 2023. The deployment of ITM capable electronic detonators allows a user to monitor and record the real time temperature at multiple locations (e.g., toe, middle and collar) at each electronic detonator’s position within the blast hole, with the ability to react instantaneously to elevations in temperature reported. The measurement of the temperature can be for a single ITM electronic detonator, or simultaneous for an array of ITM electronic detonators, allowing for the potential for the data to be represented by a time/temperature/hole depth three-dimensional heat map. Changes in temperature at different borehole positions can vary, however, often the collar position is expected to be the most reactive due the combination of bulk explosive product and oxygen exposure, which can be confirmed with the application of the ITM electronic detonators. A mine site’s reaction to a measured elevated temperature within a blast hole can vary depending on the temperature measured and the change in temperature from the last measurement made. The study was found to produce real-time in-hole temperature information which was previously unobtainable without the introduction of another device. New and adaptive elevated temperature hole policies can be created and adapted proactively as real time information is received, leading to a safer mining operation.

Jan 21, 2025

By Raj K. Rajamani, Solomon A. Tucker, Michael K. McCarter

"In a study aimed at exploring possible improvements in operating performance at an Open Pit Copper (OPC) mine in the western U.S., the impact of blast energy changes on crushing performance was evaluated. OPC feeds its 3-stage crushing plant in 12-hour-day shifts with skarn ore from three domains: Pit_B (B), Pit_S Low-Grade (SLG) and Pit_S High-Grade (SHG), in the blending ratio 1:1:1 (B/SLG/SHG). Thecrushed product is fed to a 2-stage ball mill circuit. "

Jan 1, 2017

By Brian W. Stump, David P. Anderson

Identification of seismic events detected under a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty requires a clear physical understanding of the different types of seismic sources including mining explosions, rock bursts, mine collapse and small, shallow earthquakes. Constraint of the operative physical processes in the source region and linkage to the generation of seismic waveforms with particular emphasis on regional seismograms is needed. In order to properly address the multi-dimensional aspect of data sets designed to constrain these sources, we are investigating a number of modern visualization tools that have only recently become available with new, highspeed graphical computers that can utilize relatively large data sets. The results of this study will provide a basis for identifying important physical processes in the source region that contribute to regional seismograms.

Jan 1, 1995

By Frederick B. Kuhnow

Harmonic energetic delamination a building is being considered for demolition at a formerly known atomic power lab. The building is within a containment structure under a negative pressure, so that no radioactive material is leaked out to the environment. A new approach was developed to make this work possible.

Feb 1, 2020

By Thomas E. Ricketts

Occidental Oil Shale, Inc. constructed two commercial-sized modified in situ (MIS) retorts, Retorts 7 and 8, at its Logan Wash Oil Shale Mine in February and April 1981, respectively. One of the primary objectives of this two-retort program was to examine large-scale blasting reproducibility for commercial-sized retorts. The blast design used 545 blastholes and 550,000 pounds of explosive in ANFO equivalent per retort. Each retort was blasted using millisecond delay blasting caps tied into a single round. The blasts resulted in rubble beds very close to one another and to predicted results obtained using newly developed limited void blasting technology. The heights of the remaining void rooms over the beds after blasting were within 0.3 feet of one another. This excellent reproducibility is brought into true perspective when compared to the scale of the rubble beds which were 230 feet high with volumes of over six million cubic feet each.

Jan 1, 1984

By P Geddes, K Grohs, C K. McKenzie, M Morrish

Low grade surface gold mining at the Acacia Resources, Union Reefs Gold Mine in Australia's Northern Territory, involves the excavation of benches in three slices after blasting. Blast patterns span zones of high and low grade ore, as well as zones of waste, and selective excavation is required in order to maintain economical head grades for the carbon-in-leach processing plant.

Jan 1, 1998

By Rodney Pinksen, Remi Proulx

The IOC Mining and Operations Departments expressed an interest in reducing the amount of oversize material (>1.0 m x 1.0 m x 1.0 m; 39 inches x 39 inches x 39 inches) being produced and its subsequent downstream effects including in-pit sorting and reduction, damage to mobile equipment, and significant delays in the loading pockets and the primary crushers. To achieve this goal an oversize reduction project was undertaken by the mine and to date has significantly improved upon baseline measures.

Jan 1, 2011

By Matt Brandon

This case study demonstrates how integrating drone and GPS surveying with 3D modeling software creates more effective blast designs that address specific geotechnical challenges while improving safety and blast performance. In this case study an 80ft (25m) highwall experienced recurring slip plane failures exacerbated by a previously mined 40ft (12m) bench that removed back support, creating an unstable triangular rock mass. Previous blasting along this wall displaced the upper 40ft (12m) of material, opening geological discontinuities and causing progressive slope failures that compromised crew safety and blast effectiveness. High-resolution drone photogrammetry, GPS surveying, and laser measurements were employed to precisely map slip planes, bedding planes, and fault structures within the bench geometry. These geological features were imported into 3D design software to develop a shot pattern that strategically utilizes natural rock discontinuities rather than working against them. GPS-guided hole placement ensured accurate field implementation, while marking geological features on the surface of the bench provided visual references for the blast crew. The final blast design positioned the last row of holes to break preferentially along an existing slip plane while avoiding intersecting the next slip plane behind the blast. Explosive loading and timing sequences were adjusted based on the hole location relative to the 3D geological model to optimize fragmentation while maintaining wall stability. The optimized design improved highwall stability significantly, by reducing the slip plane failure mechanism that had previously compromised operations. Measurable improvements included enhanced highwall stability, reduced back-break, improved blast performance, and reduced safety risks for equipment operators and blast crews. Two subsequent shots using identical methodology were able to remove the rest of this problem area, confirming the repeatability and effectiveness of this integrated approach. This methodology demonstrates practical integration of surveying technologies with geological understanding to solve complex blasting challenges. Accurate 3D modeling of geological features enables blast designers to work with natural rock structures rather than against them, resulting in safer, more effective blasting practices. This case study shows the value of understanding the precise locations of geological features for optimizing blast design and provides a replicable process for addressing geotechnical challenges in blasting operations.

Jan 26, 2026

"In this work a blasting seismograph was tested on a vibration shaker controlled by a single-point laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV). A total of 43 tests were made to measure the transfer properties(transmissibility and phase shift) of the basic elements of the full monitoring chain and investigate theperformance of the full system. The main elements of the seismograph are described by second ordertransfer functions with typical parameters calibrated through nonlinear fit of the measured responses. The resulting transfer function is used to compare the behavior of the tested seismograph with fourtheoretical seismographs representative of those used in blasting. Fifteen theoretical inputs are runthrough the transfer function of each seismograph to assess their steady-response. The error (expressed as gain) in the peak velocity has been assessed. It varies from -1.5 to 2.3 dB (equivalent to atransmissibility of 0.84 to 1.3, respectively) depending on the seismograph and frequencies of the input.The largest errors occurred for input signals with frequencies in the low (<32 Hz) or high ranges (>125Hz), where the mechanical, electronics and digital parts of the seismograph modify the signals. Seismographs with the nominal transfer function described by DIN 45669:1:2010 are ranked with the smallest errors. Monitoring devices with transmissibility around one in a narrow bandwidth, in line with ISEE suggested criteria for amplitude response, involve large phase shifts at low and high frequencies, resulting in a worst performance."

Jan 1, 2017

By Duan Baofu, Wang Xuguang, Song Jinquan

In this paper, the model of optimizing selection on preparation of Powdery Emulsion Explosives(PEE) is established by the Neural Net Theory(NNT). On the basis of some data in the study of PEE, the training, prediction and optimizing selection of the Neural Net (NN) model are finished by a compiling procedure. The results indicate that the model is helpful to the preparation of PEE and worthy to extend and apply broadly. KTYWORDS Neural Net Powdery Emulsion Explosives Preparation Optimizing Selection

Jan 1, 2003

By U. Steiner

Electronic detonators have been in commercial use for a decade, with an excellent safety record. This paper lists known incidents involving electronic detonators. Typical standards required by regulatory bodies for static electricity and electromagnetic fields are reviewed. The performance of some detonators is compared to these standards; in general the minimum standards are easily exceeded. The general resistance of electronic detonators to extraneous electrical energy that can be derived from the body of test results is compared to danger levels for exposure of humans to these energies; it is shown that electronic detonators can safely tolerate higher electrical energies than people can. This comparison includes comparable data for electric detonators, which are shown to be more vulnerable to extraneous electrical energy than people are. Electronic detonators also bring significant safety benefits in blasting due to their testability, two-way communications, reliability, programmability and precision. The links between these attributes and enhanced safety are discussed with examples from actual blasting. Although electronic detonators are usually more vulnerable to extraneous electricity than non-electric initiation systems, the paper shows that the net safety benefit in handling and blasting is in favor of electronic detonators, which are the safest initiation system that has ever been offered to the mining industry.

Jan 1, 2010

By Adrian Moore, Alan Richards

"It has been common practice to set blast vibration limits for structures using an “observational”approach whereby limits are set at a level based on observations of damage, or the lack ofdamage, combined with a tendency to further reduce the permitted level due to uncertainty. Suchan observational approach was used in the USBM RI 8507 to produce the frequency dependent‘Safe Levels of Blasting Vibration for Houses’ which has become a universal Standard for overthirty years."

Jan 1, 2013