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Vibration resulting from blasting has been a source of concern from the inception of the use of explosives. As a result many investigations have been made concerning the seismic effects of blasting and at present there is available an adequate set of standards with which to judge seismically the damage capability of a blasting operation.

Jan 1, 1976

By Carlos Agreda

"In the present article a case study of ammonium nitrate in mine water is briefly analized and discussed. Causes of mine water pollution from AN are very well identified and emphasized.Some preventative measures, as well as, some methods of monitoring and control to minimize, mitigate and/or avoid mine water pollution are recommended."

Jan 1, 1999

By Charles A. Kliche

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) established a national program for responding to releases of hazardous substances into the environment. The funding mechanism for this program is the Hazardous Substance Response Trust Fund (commonly referred to as Superfund), which provides funding for the implementation of removal and remedial response actions.

Jan 1, 1997

By Steve Dillingham

In recent years, there has been a trend toward increasingly demanding blasting standards being enacted by local and regional regulatory authorities. The objective of this paper is to alert blasters of the difficulties that are created for blasting projects as a result of these restrictions, as well as the steps that can be taken to minimize future conflicts.

Jan 1, 1995

By Jack Eloranta

This paper compares energy requirements for blasting, crushing and grinding. By tracking electrical consumption for various powder factors, a general trend has appeared. This study involves over 100 million tons of ore and powder factors ranging from .5 lbs/LT to .8 lbs/LT. Actual energy usage is compared to predicted energy based on the Bond equation.

Jan 1, 1997

By Frank Sames

Blast vibration and airblast overpressure signals are generally rated and compared only by their maximum amplitude and the principal frequency associated with the peak pulse. The scaled distance concept is often used to predict peak amplitudes and can be applied for blasts in the same area of a mine to evaluate the statistical properties of a set of readings.

Jan 1, 1997

By Charles M. Curtin

A significant advance in nonelectric delay blast initiation has been achieved by Nonel shock tube, an invention patented by Nitro Nobel AB of Gyttorp, Sweden. Ensign Bickford has been licensed by Nitro Nobel to manufacture Nonel in the United States.

Jan 1, 1976

By Brett Pielstick, E Emery Gray

"Construction of the new Acosta Bridge in downtown Jacksonville, FL required the removalof an historical center lift span bridge once one_half of the new bridge had been opened totraffic. This paper discusses the potential problems faced with the demolition phase of the projectas observed by the CEI (Construction Engineering Inspection) and the blasting consultants"

Jan 1, 1993

By T S. Bajpayee, Thomas C. Ruhe

"The Pittsburgh Research Laboratory of NIOSH conducted research to determine the safe operatingconditions for using recycled (used) lubricating oil from mining equipment as a partial replacement for diesel fuel to make ANFO-type blasting agents. The use of recycled oil (RO) conserves energy, reduces oil imports, and reduces mining costs."

Jan 1, 1999

By David R. Ziegler

Blasting complaints are as unpredictable as human nature. Being prepared to speak to the complainant, and having a good idea of what you should say, or what NOT to say, may affect the evolution, and eventual resolution of the complaint. The person taking that first phone call will probably not be responsible for resolving the complaint. However, the person in charge should respond to the complainant ASAP, the same day, if possible.

Jan 1, 1998

By John M. Feasler

Since the advent of NONEL shock tube, the signal transmission invention developed by NITRO NOBEL AB of Gyttorp, Sweden, we have seen the following application in the United States: (1) NONEL PRIMADETS - Non-Electric Blasting Caps for underground use, available in long period delay and millisecond delay intervals. (2) H.D. NONEL PRIMADETS - A rugged model of the underground unit designed primarily for use in quarries, coal strips, and open pit mines.

Jan 1, 1977

By Mike McGill, Steven P. Case, Mark Spaulding

The General Crushed Stone Company at Doswell VA. decided to open a new pit to expand their reserves. The elevation of the property was 136 feet above the present primary crusher. The project required driving twin tunnels under the highway to access the primary crusher from the new property. A shaft was needed to pass blasted rock to the tunnel elevation where it's loaded and hauled to the primary crusher. In addition, a ventilation shaft was required to provide adequate airflow. Dynatec Mining Contractors Inc. Lakewood Colorado was subcontracted to handle the tunnel and shaft development.

Jan 1, 1993

By MacDonald B. Johnson, Douglass P. Bacon

With the advance of science, rise of public interest in environmental matters, and continuing erosion of air quality, Federal and state regulators are demanding an increasing complex array of data concerning emissions produced by burning and detonating energetic materials. The U.S. Department of Defense, one of the world's largest consumers of energetic materials, now must characterize combustion products resulting from open burning/open detonation disposal operations. The catch-all phrase "below detection limits" no longer satisfies the regulators who now want testing to delve into the ppt level for volatile organic compounds and ppt level for semivolatile organic compounds.

Jan 1, 1995

By Zoltan Susanszky

This paper discusses problems encountered when blasting under rivers for pipeline crossings. Many pipelines have recently been laid under the Danube River. Great care had to be taken to determine limits of detonation impulses from blasting operations in order that no damage would occur to structures at the water's edge, boats, and swimmers. Equations were derived from the results of this study which enable prediction of impulse levels.

Jan 1, 1977

By Jeffrey E. Loney, Andrew F. McKnown

Recovery of contaminated groundwater migrating through bedrock can be very difficult due to the low transmissivity of many bedrock fracture systems. To overcome these difficulties, a system of controlled "trench" blasting has been used on several projects to assist in cutting off and collecting groundwater plumes in bedrock. By using a combination of trench blasting and presplitting techniques, linear "fracture" zones are created in appropriate locations to significantly increase flow into recovery wells and control plume migration.

Jan 1, 1995

By William C. Geitz, Dan Fitzgibbon

Lightning has always posed a serious threat to blasting operations, especially within the mining and construction industries. In recent years, technological advancements in communications systems and microprocessors have significantly improved the accuracy and efficiency of lightning detection and warning instrumentation. These advancements have increased the availability of highly reliable, accurate and affordable systems for use within the explosives arena.

Jan 1, 1991

By Larry D. Lawrence, Gerald W. Greenway

Corrugated boxes have been the dominant shipping container for packaged commercial explosives for the past 3 decades. Recent changes in shipping regulations have dictated to the industry the adoption of enhanced standards dealing with the construction of fiberboard shipping containers for explosives. Effective October 1944, all shipping containers used for explosives will require individual certification verifying that the containers conform to the United Nations performance oriented packaging standards. The U.S. Department of Transportation will continue to enforce compliance to the new UN standards. A renewed emphasis on the design of corrugated shipping containers to insure industry compliance to the UN standards has been a joint development program between the explosive manufacturers, fiberboard container suppliers and the academic community. Along with drop strength, leakproofness, and vibration resistance, the individual stacking strength of corrugated shipping containers has come under tight scrutiny based on the new UN standards.

Jan 1, 1994

By Richard A. Dick

On August 3, 1977 the 95th Congress passed Public Law 95-87, the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. This Act created the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), which was given the responsibility of formulating regulations to implement the Act. This paper explains the rationale behind the specific provisions of the final blasting regulations, which were published in volume 44, No. 50 of the Federal Register, dated March 13, 1979. The major items covered by the regulations include preblasting surveys, blasting schedules, protection of the public, ground vibration limits, the scaled distance equation, airblast limits, blasting procedures, and record keeping. The regulations are designed to protect the safety and well-being of the public and to protect buildings and structures such as wells, pipelines, and storage facilities from damage.

Jan 1, 1979

By William McFerren, Pragasen Moodley

In contrast to global trends, African, especially South African, surface mining operations have shown a significant rate of adoption of Electronic Detonators (ED’s) over the last few years. Proven benefits of converting to ED’s from pyrotechnic initiation systems have aided this market conversion. These benefits are experienced throughout the mining operation. Benchmarking exercises, prior to the introduction of ED’s, form part of the conversion process and allow for quantifying improvements. Extensive work has been done on quantifying the benefits of converting to ED’s and have shown that results can be reproducible. Improvements have been experienced in many applications and include environmental impact control, improved mining efficiencies, increased cast benefit and improved size distribution. These step changes in blasting results, in conjunction with the adoption of ED technology have aided the rapid conversion of the African surface market.

Jan 1, 2004

By Marion Smith, Thomas M. Keevin, Dennis G. Wright, Gregory L. Hempen, Joel B. Gaspin, Thomas L. Linton, Gregg R. Gitschlag

"A Natural Resources Working Group, within the International Society of Explosives Engineers, reviewed published environmental effects data, identified data gaps, and prioritized data collection needs relative to underwater explosive use. Six groups of organisms were reviewed: 1) aquatic plants, 2) aquatic invertebrates, 3) fish, 4) amphibians, 5) reptiles, and 6) marine mammals. Studyrecommendations included: conducting basic research to determine the relationship between pressure waveform and mortality where little or no data exist (e.g., aquatic plants, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and marine mammals) and conducting narrowly defined studies where adequate data have been acquired (e.g., aquatic invertebrates). The goals of the recommended studies are to develop the relationship between pressure waveform and mortality/damage in order to construct mortality models. Development of comprehensive mortality models would be extremely useful to the blasting community for assessing environmental impacts and developing strategies for reducing impacts from explosives used underwater."

Jan 1, 1999