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By Patricio Santis, Jacopo Seccatore

Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) is a prominent activity in the extractive industry: considering only gold, it produces about 20% of world market supply. Despite this fact, ASM is generally associated with negative aspects of its environmental impact, and operational research is generally neglected. This paper emphasizes the peculiarity of the drilling and blasting systems of small underground mines in selected South American Countries. Such Countries, while having large mineral deposits and well recognized large-scale mining activities, at the same time still present on their territory ASM activities that are archaic, highly inefficient and dangerous for the safety of its operators. This paper documents drilling and blasting activities from gold mining in Ecuador and Chile. First, are described the outdated and often non-rational techniques employed by miners, to provide a general framework of the current methods. Then, it is shown what can be improved and how the current methods can be modified. Finally, are shown some field applications and the comparisons of the results obtained. One case shows how blast pull efficiency can be increased of from 82% to 98% by changing non-rational applications of explosive products. Another case shows how, by rationalizing blast designs, drilling and blasting costs can be reduced by 9% per month, the advance by blasting increased by 29% and the blasting efficiency increased from 70% to 90%. Finally, it is concluded that examples of application show how operational improvements are easily applicable on the field, relying only on tools and resources of artisanal mining, but combining solid engineering bases with confidence-gain and respect for the experience of the miners.

By Daniel Hauer

Blocking. (5) The “blocking” of boulders is a much cheaper way of breaking them up than “mud capping.” It should always be used in preference to that method except when too much time will be consumed by a crew of men waiting for the drilling to be done, as shown in example of cost No. 1, as given under “mud capping.” Under such circumstances the time consumed would be a greater cost to the contractor than the extra amount of dynamite. Then, too, on large thin boulders to drill one hole would result only in breaking the stone into such pieces as would again have to be broken; and the many holes might equal the cost of extra dynamite. Under such circumstances if method (6) cannot be used, “mud capping” will have to be resorted to, to do the work economically.

Jan 1, 2006

By Sam Bang Jr, Rodney Burke

As mining progresses in the West, the depth of material has increased, making highwall stability a major factor in safety and production. The Jim Bridger Coal Mine’has made highwall stability a priority, concentrating on safety as well as increasing and improving production. Overburden depths are increasing dramatically; the geological environment consists of medium to sot? material, faulting, water, and current pit alignment not favorable to joint planes. Angle drilling the presplit at 20 degrees became necessaryas vertical presplit drilling produced wall failures.

Jan 1, 1998

By H. Venkatesh, Balachander R.

This article discusses the method that was adopted for controlling damage to rock mass while excavating an underground powerhouse cavern at Tala Hydroelectric Project. It discusses in detail the near field vibration studies carried out and the safe vibration levels established for that rock mass condition.

Jan 1, 2006

By R. Bitmead, R Barker, A. Drake

The opencut coal mine is located about 50 km west of Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland in Australia and produces about 140 000 tonnes per annum of high grade steaming coal utilising a small team (ten) of personnel to mine remnants of the Aberdare and Bluff seams left by previous underground mining. This, in itself, is not remarkable except that one of the seams has commenced spontaneously cornbusting resulting in temperatures in excess of 55’C commonly being encountered with portions of the p’it being wreathed in steam. To extend mine life, the mine required a blasting system that would: . Safely blast in temperatures below 100°C . Significantly reduce overall unit costs . Not increase the current vibration impacts on nearby housing . Not increase flyrock.

Jan 1, 2002

By Ron J. Elliott, Dylan Wedgewood

A series of five signature holes were blasted at the Highvale Mine and the resultant seismic data was analyzed to make recommendations on how best to address neighbour complaints regarding blast vibrations. From an analysis of peak vibration levels measured at the closest neighbour for blasting during 2016, it was determined that the blast vibration intensity varied between 1.4 to 4.3 mm/sec (0.06-0.17 ins./sec.), well below the level of concern for the onset of minor damage to residential structures, however, the frequency of the blast vibrations was between 2.2 and 9.7 Hz, which is within the range of the natural resonant frequency for a single story home. This was determined to be the cause of the neighbour complaints, as the home would be responding to the blast vibrations.

Jan 1, 2018

By Türker Hüdaverdi, Özge Akyildiz

"In this research, image analysis technique, Kuz-Ram and KCO Models were used to examineefficiency of the quarry blasts. Investigations were performed in Cendere region, Istanbul. As a firststep, image analysis software was used to determine particle size distribution of muckpiles.Additionally, the results of KuzRam and KCO fragmentation models were compared to the results ofthe image analysis technique. The efficiency of KuzRam and KCO models was investigated and theimportant points to be considered were explained. Additionally, the effect of the rock factor valueson the size distribution curves was investigated. The blasthole diameter is 89 mm. (3.5 in) in thestudied quarry. Each measured blast has a different burden, spacing and stemming length. Blastholes was drilled in a staggered pattern. It is concluded that, KuzRam and KCO models can be successfully used to determine fragment size distribution in Cendere Region Quarries, Istanbul. Site engineers can predict blast fragmentation using the theoretical fragmentation models and they may change blast design parameters before blasting operation if necessary. It is possible to calibrate the Kuz-Ram and KCO fragmentation models using the measurements obtained by image analysis technique."

Jan 1, 2016

By Crazy Horse - The Journal of Explosives Engineering - Vol 20 No 1

The crew at Crazy Horse Memorial has produced a w o n d e rful new video called “The Fine Art of Mountain Carving.” The video closely examines for the first time, the extraordinary explosives engineering on the Crazy Horse mountain currently in pro g ress in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The 56-minute video takes the viewer up the mountain for a behind-the-scenes look at the drilling and blasting crew at work on the mountain. The video was written, edited and produced by Robb D e Wall and is available exclusively from the Crazy Horse Memorial in both DVD and VHS formats. For i n f o rmation, see www.crazyhorsememorial.org The following, is a brief summary of the 25 steps involved in carving the mountain. The video goes into extensive detail on each of the 25 steps. Both those in the explosives industry and those outside the industry will find the video intere s t i n g .

Jan 1, 2004

By Braden T. Lusk, Rex A. Meyr, Kyle A. Perry

Following three major mining accidents in 2006, the MINER Act of 2006 was enacted by MSHA and required every underground coal mine to install refuge alternatives to help prevent future fatalities of trapped miners in the event of a disaster. A polycarbonate safe haven wall for use in underground coal mines was designed and modeled using finite element modeling in ANSYS Explicit Dynamics to withstand the MSHA required 15 psi (103.4 kPa) blast loading spanning 200 milliseconds. The successful design was constructed in both half-scale and small scales in the University of Kentucky Explosives Research Team’s (UKERT) explosives driven shock tube. The constructed polycarbonate walls were tested multiple times to determine the walls resistance to blast pressure. The results for each test were analyzed and averaged to create one pressure versus time waveform which was then imported into the finite element program and modeled to compare deflections of each part to that was measured during testing for model validation. This paper summarizes the results.

Jan 1, 2014

By Abraham Lindo

"Blasting plays a key role in hard rock underground mining. It is by nature a violent and destructiveextraction method designed to economically fragment the rock into a suitable size for it to be loaded and hauled as part of the specific mining process while controlling the amount of damage to the surrounding rock mass."

Jan 1, 2016

By A Bagchi, Nabiullah, Jagdieh

"A number of coal mines in India are affected by fire. Most of coking coal reserves in the country are located in Jharia coalfield where more than 18 sq. km is in the grip of fire. Generally such fires are confined in areas near to our crops. About 37 million tonnes of coking coal are lost in recent yearsdue to fire and another 48 million tonnes are blocked in fire areas. Preventive measures adopted to control fires were only partially successful and the cost of such measures was exorbitant I Temperature of blast holes in fire area varies between 60 and 300° C or even more. Even after thorough quenching of holes with water, it become difficult to bring down the temperature below SO"" C. For blasting hot holes primary need is to select safe and suitable commercial explosives and detonating fuse and to measure hot hole temperatures. VWiOUs types of commercially available explosives including Nitro Glycerine bare, slurries, site mixed slurries (SMS), emulsion5 ,detonating fuses and detonators were tested to determine their thermal behaviour at elevated temperatures under field simulated conditions in the Copyright © 2000 International Society of Explosives Engineers 1993g - Studies on Safe Blasting Technique in Fire Area of Coal Mines laboratory and in hot blast holes in field . More than 50 round of blast were conducted in fire areas. NG base compositions and detonators were found unsafe at temperature above SO0 C andtherefore, they are not permitted to be used in hot holes. Slurries and emulsion are stable upto 1200 c. For blasting at temperature exceeding SO0 C a heat resistant gel/ solution was developed by the authors and is being used in number of fire areas."

Jan 1, 1993

The objective in controlled blasting is to reduce overbreak to control the final pit wall slope, shaft, drift ditch, bench, etc. to the final planned excavation limit. The six main types of controlled blasting utilized today are: 1) Line Drilling 2) Cushion Blasting 3 Smooth Wall Blasting 4) Buffer Blasting 5) Presplitting or Preshearing 6) Air Deck Presplitting

Jan 1, 1992

By P D. Kasbanis, Lyall Workman

"The energy output of an explosive is typically calculated using an equation of state and computerapplications. Results are reported as weight and bulk strength, either in absolute terms or relative toANFO. The effect of the equation of state selected and the assumptions regarding the energy calculation are considered and interpreted for the purpose of blast design. It appears that variations in the heat of detonation which result from the selection of the equation of state and parameters associated with it are not sufficient to significantly affect blast patterns, explosive consumption and costs. However variations stemming from the use of “available energy” associated with a cut-off pressure are significant, suggesting in many cases large pattern expansions. The validity of the various approaches is discussed and blast design results based on the energy calculated by the different approaches are presented and evaluated."

Jan 1, 1996

By Robert Hopler

That some time in the year 1872 there was organized an association composed of practically all of the manufacturers of gunpowder and other high explosives in the United States, the members of which said association were as follows: E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., The Hazard Powder Company, Laflin & Rand Powder Company, Oriental Powder Mills, American Powder Company, The Miami Powder Company, and Austin Powder Company of Cleveland, all of which or their successors are defendants herein; that the object and purpose of said association was the elimination of all competition between the members thereof in the shipment and sale of gunpowder and other high explosives among the various States and Territories of the United States; that the only manufacturers of gunpowder and other high explosives which did not join such association at the time of its organization were the California Powder Works, The Sycamore Manufacturing Company, and The Lake Superior Powder Company, but your petitioner alleges that each of said three last named companies

Jan 1, 2008

By Darren Thorton, David Sprott, Ian Brunton

Blasting causes movement of the rock and can be detrimental to the accurate delineation of the ore and waste regions within the resulting muck pile. The consequences can be ore loss and dilution. However, ore loss and dilution can be minimized and significant increases in profit can be realized if the movement can be accurately measured. Various methods have been used to measure muck pile movement including poly-pipe, chain and sandbags but these have been either inaccurate or impractical. The Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre, JKMRC, has developed an electronic blast movement monitor that provides accurate three-dimensional movement vectors following a production blast. From this information, the ore block boundaries in the blasted bench can be adjusted to compensate for the measured movement and then ore recovery can be optimised. Following initial development of the prototype technology, the JKMRC further developed and demonstrated the system in actual production blasts at an open pit gold mine operated by Placer Dome Inc.

Jan 1, 2005

By Enver Alan

This Research & Development (R&D) study was conducted in the field of applied blasting engineering in Ethiopia, within the AKH Railway Project, which was built in Girena, within the boundaries of the province of Mersa, in the Basalt Quarry at km 346, Ashangi Formation, occured in Eocene geological time in the aphanitic trachibasalt. Under the scope of the study, which has been performed to determine the effects of the artificial discontinuities at different depths and the effects of artificial discontinuities through structural damage risk, three test areas, at the same location and same formation, were considered. Six numbers of artificial discontinuities, each 10 m (32, 81 ft) transverse, were created by using pre-splitting and drilling-blasting technology. The number of sequential artificial discontinuities on each test area is two and they have the same length. The length of artificial discontinuities are; 6,80 m (22,31 ft) at the first test area, 13,60 m (44,62 ft) at the second test area and 17,00 m (55,77 ft) at the third test area respectively. The distance between sequential artificial discontinuities is 8 m (26,25ft) on each test area. Thirty-one shots were executed in order to produce vibration (10 shots on the first test area, 11 shots on the second area, 10 shots on the third test area). One hundred and twenty-three seismic recordings were obtained during the execution of the shots by using 4 seismographs. The closest distance between the shot points and the nearest measuring station is 5,30 m (17,39 ft). During the shots, the rock was cracked and there was no fragmentation and/or fly rock. At the first test area, measured PPV values are between 25,40-127,00 mm/s (1-5 inch/s) before the first artificial discontinuity and less than 50,80 mm/s (2 inch/s) after the second artificial discontinuity. At the second test area, measured PPV values are between 76,20-177,80 mm/s (3-7 inch/s) before the first artificial discontinuity and less than 76,20 mm/s (3 inch/s) after the second artificial discontinuity. At the third test area, measured PPV values are between 50,80-279,40 mm/s (2-11 inch/s) before the first artificial discontinuity and less than 50,80 mm/s (2 inch/s) after the second artificial discontinuity. Peak reduction rates in Peak Particle Velocity (PPV) values determined by measuring as follows: In the first test area 95,77% (106,00 mm/s to 4,48 mm/s) (4,17 in/s to 0,18 in/s), in the second test area 79,77% (176,00 mm/s to 35,60 mm/s) (6,93 in/s to 1,40 in/s), in the third test area 95,85% (from 205,00 mm/s to 8,55 mm/s) (from 8,07 in/s to 0,34 in/s). The arithmetic mean of the differences of PPV values (decrease rate) is 82,66% in the first test area, 69,37% in the second test area, and 92,03% in the third test area. The highest sound value is 138,50 dB and is defined as “noise”. When the measured parameter values are examined it was determined on the USBM norm graphs that these vibrations carry a risk of structural damage in the region before the first artificial discontinuity. While passing through artificial discontinuities the vibrations progress by losing energy and the vibrations passing through two artificial discontinuities do not carry structural damage risk under current conditions.

By Dean Nichols, Matt Ortel

Explosive accidents in the United States have brought increased attention to emergency operation plans (EOP) at all facilities that manufacture, transport, or store hazardous materials – particularly explosive materials. Explosions are sudden, powerful, and complex events that are difficult to characterize in terms of the thermal, over pressure, and debris effects. Industry, regulatory, and public officials require emergency response planners to not only anticipate the blast effects of an explosion, but also to prepare an appropriate response.

Jan 1, 2016

By Ron Frye, Carl Liibbe, Wayne Curtis, Julie Pecori, Dan Leach

Test work comparing the performance of a Low Density Porous Ammonium Nitrate Prill to regular Porous Ammonium Nitrate conducted in Pennsylvania and New York showed that less ammonium nitrate was required to perform the same work and that improved sensitization of an emulsion/ammonium nitrate blend reduced “orange fumes”. Fragmentation was similar in all tests with improved heave and throw experienced.

Jan 1, 1997

By SMF Hossaini

With the aim of a clearer understanding of the applicability of existing empirical equations for blast induced ground vibration, an investigation has been conducted on three mostly applied forms of such equations. The effect of explosive type on the applicability of these equations has been assessed by analysing 44 sets of data produced by using two types of explosives, namely ANFO and slurry explosive, in an open pit coal mine. The analysis of the data has revealed that the type of explosive affects the applicability of the criteria of the three equations. All three criteria have better correlation with the data of shots in which ANFO was used than the shots with slurry explosive. However, the applicability of one of the criteria is reduced, by far, only by replacing ANFO with slurry explosive for the same ground conditions. It was also found that one of the parameters of these criteria (i.e. “k”) is significantly sensitive to the type of explosive in all the three equations. The degree of influence to the values of “k” obtained by the variation of explosive from ANFO to slurry explosive in the three equations is 76.3%, 811% and 39%. This implies that “k” is not only dependant on ground conditions, as stated in most previous publications, but is also strongly a function of the type of explosive.

Jan 1, 2004

By Stuart Brashear, Eddie Colburn

The Birmingham Coal and Coke – Knight Mine is a single seam coal mine in central Alabama. As pit development progressed in 2013, concerns over increasing vibration levels resulted in modifications to the blasting program that inhibited shot size and coal recovery. By January 2014, while still over 1,400 feet (427 m) from the regulatory seismograph, vibration levels climbed above 70% of the mine permit limit, even with triple decking of holes and reduced burden and spacing. At this time the decision was made to commit to the use of signature waveform analysis and precision programmable electronic detonators to minimize vibration and maximize the amount of coal that could be recovered before vibration levels reached permit limits.

Jan 1, 2015