Search Documents

By Shuli Teng, Vladimir Sujansky, Matthew Rawls, Ivan Junarsa

In recent years significant advances have been made in chemical processing technology. In particular, process intensification using micro-technology has had some success in changing and improving chemical processes including mixing. Process Intensification is the miniaturization of unit operations and processes whereby a smaller compact piece of equipment takes the place of a larger one at the same given capacity or mass flow rate. This paper summarizes research into the application of the technology for manufacture of high internal phase water in oil ammonium nitrate emulsions (ANE’s) at low energy cost and with very low oil/fuel blend content. The emulsions can be used as precursors for preparation of explosives. The quality of the emulsion prepared was assessed through droplet and crystal analysis and compared with that of emulsions made by conventional large scale jet mixing technology.

Jan 1, 2014

By John Brulia, Grant ODell

The AIRDEK blasting method has recently been introduced as an overbreak control blasting technique. This paper discusses the use of a modified AIRDEK blasting method for use in open-face blasting to make cap stone riprap (6-20 ton size) at the Clinton Point quarry of New York Trap Rock Corporation, Lone Star Industries.

Jan 1, 1990

By Dale L. Ramsey

The Pinkerton Tunnel Open Cut Project is part of the National Gateway Clearance Initiative improvement project to achieve a minimum of 6.4 meters (21 feet) of vertical clearance along CSX Transportation rail corridor so that double-stacked intermodal railcars can be transported between Mid-Atlantic States and their ports to Midwest Markets in the U.S.

Jan 1, 2014

By P D. Katsabanis

Explosives malfunction due to shock waves is a serious concern for successful blasting results. Malfunction includes sympathetic detonation and desensitization of explosive charges as well as the modification of firing times of conventional pyrotechnic detonators.

Jan 1, 1995

By Roger Keller, Jason Ryan

A number of studies have evaluated excavation methods for the construction of subsurface facilities for a potential deep geologic repository for the disposal of nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain, NV. Many of these studies suggest that where TBM (tunnel boring machine) methods are not applicable and alternative mechanical excavation methods can not efficiently excavate harder rock drill and blast methods may be the most efficient means of excavation. However, a number of concerns regarding drill and blast applications have been raised in these evaluations, most notably the affects of blasting on the surrounding perimeter, as isolation of the waste by the natural barrier of the surrounding rock is a key element in the concept of a deep geologic repository.

Jan 1, 2001

By Bruce R. Leland, Steven H. Smith, John D. Paulson

The USDA - Wildlife Services has been removing beaver dams with explosives for over 30 years. This paper will discuss the history of the explosives program, summarize how we've evolved, and highlight our work removing beaver dams in unique locations.

Feb 1, 2020

By David Harrison, Brian Harrison

The Army Corps of Engineers completed the Charleroi Lock and Dam in 1932. It is located on the Monongahela river approximately 22 miles (35k) south of Pittsburgh in Charleroi, Pennsylvania. It is comprised of a 420-foot (128m) gated dam, and a 720-foot (219m) by 56-foot (17m) land side lock, which provides for a 16.6 foot (5m) vertical lift.

Jan 1, 2018

By Steven D. Knudsen, Dale S. Preece

The spherical element computer code DMC (Distinct Motion Code) used to model rock motion resulting from blasting has been enhanced to allow routine computer simulations of bench blasting. The enhancements required for bench blast simulation include: 1) modifying the gas flow portion of DMC, 2) adding a new explosive gas equation of state capability, 3) modifying the porosity calculation, and 4) accounting for blastwell spacing parallel to the face.

Jan 1, 1992

By Mario Alvarez

Drilling with tricone drill bits is widely used in the mining industry with a direct impact on drilling safety and costs, however it can be challenging to implement a new supplier of tricone drill bits, choosing a new model of this accessory due to the normal variations of the rock mass or even due to the acquisition of new and modern drilling equipment for open pit blasting operations. This article identifies the most common mechanisms of failure in productive drill holes of tricone drill bits, both in open-pit coal and metal mines, in two South American countries. It also emphasizes the important issues that must be addressed for the optimization of the performance of these accessories, such as the correct identification of the rock mass, the drilling parameters, and the impact of autonomous drilling on new equipment with this technology. The article presents some of the successful actions to economically improve the performance of drill bits considering the close relationship in the field with the supplier's technical representatives and factory designers, as well as the commercial interrelationship between their respective business areas. The article concludes by discussing the future of tricone drill bit design development, its environmental management, and possible new advances in its manufacture.

Jan 21, 2025

By Gordon Matheson, Bill Yancey, David K. Miller

"Current regulatory limits for blast vibration and airblast control in Virginia do not specifically addressunderwater explosive testing. Underwater detonation of explosives generates an initial shock wave and a gas bubble. The gas bubble expands and collapses several times before reaching the water surface. This expansion and collapse of the gas bubble as it rises to the surface is called a “bubble pulse”. The bubble pulse generates low frequency vibrations that have the most potential for damaging structures and causing blasting complaints even below damage levels."

Jan 1, 1999

By Thomas Kovalchuk, Kenneth Eltschlager, William Shuss

In April of 2000, two adults and their newborn infant, were poisoned by carbon monoxide in their home and received medical treatment at a Pennsylvania hospital. Carboxyhemoglobin levels were; child - 3 1%, father - 28Oh, and mother - 17%. Initially the furnace was blamed but after further review, blasting at a nearby coal mine was determined to be the source. All other sources of carbon monoxide were ruled out. The blasting was about 400 feet from the house. The conditions that led to the migration of gas include: the blasts were highly confined, the geologic structure contained fractures that served as conduits for the carbon monoxide to reach a hand-dug well outside the house, and the well was atmospherically connected to the basement floor drains.

Jan 1, 2001

By Hernan Escalante, Jonathan Alvis, Paulo Alcazar

Constancia Mine, operated by Hudbay Perú and located in the district of Velille, Chumbivilcas province, Cusco, is an open-pit operation characterized by low-grade ore. In this context, operational efficiency and process optimization are essential to ensure long-term profitability. This paper presents an innovative strategy based on the processing of large volumes of data (Big Data), primarily from the drilling and blasting stages. By consolidating approximately 9 million records per month into a georeferenced block model, an analytical platform was developed to directly correlate material fragmentation quality with plant mill throughput. The implemented methodology integrates multiple operational and geometallurgical data sources, enabling dynamic visualization of blasting conditions and their impact on material behavior during crushing and grinding. Through this correlation, operational patterns that maximize plant throughput while minimizing energy consumption and processing costs were identified. Beyond the direct benefits in the plant, this approach significantly improved mine planning by enabling more informed decisions regarding drill pattern design, explosive loading, and blast sequencing. Improved coordination between mine and plant departments was also observed, contributing to better alignment of operational goals and an integrated business perspective. The application of Big Data in this context represents a step toward digital transformation in mining, demonstrating that advanced analytics can be effectively implemented in large-scale, complex operational environments. This solution was validated under real operating conditions and shows high scalability potential for other operations facing similar challenges. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that systematic analysis of drilling and blasting data, when integrated with geological and operational models, can lead to substantial improvements in plant performance. This contributes directly to the competitiveness and sustainability of low-grade mining operations.

Jan 26, 2026

By Dr. Anthony J. Konya

The modern era has seen a boom in virtual training platforms. This study details the effectiveness & applicability of online training in comparison to in-person training for the drill & blast industry.

Feb 1, 2020

By Walter Voglauer

On May 14, 2011 a chimney blast took place in Vienna, Austria. The blasting operation was part of the demolition works at a former railway fabrication. The demolition works on this ground were done under the leadership of the Austrian construction and demolition company PORR. In agreement with the civil organizations which were involved, the commander of the Regional Military Command of Vienna, Brigadier general Dr. Karl SCHMIDSEDER ordered a reserve force engineer company to demolish the chimney. The concrete planning of the chimney blasting was done by specialist Markus SEWALD who belongs to the HEERESTRUPPENSCHULE (combined armed force school) of the Austrian armed forces.

Jan 1, 2013

By Don Thompson

The Minntac Mine drills and blasts approximately 75 million long tons of taconite per year. This requires drilling one million feet of 1 6-inch diameter holes. We are in the process of replacing our old generation rotary blasthole drills (Gardner-Denver 120's and Bucyrus-Erie 61R's) with new generation rotary blasthole drills (Bucyrus-Erie 59R's and P&H 120A's).

Jan 1, 1998

By J Lyall Workman, Peter N. Calder

Large hole rotary drilling is one of the most common methods of producing blastholes in open pit mining. Large hole drilling generally refers to diameters from 9 to 17 inch (229 to 432 mm), however a considerable amount of rotary drilling is done in diameters from 6½ to 9 inch (165 to 229 mm). These smaller diameters are especially prevalent in gold mining and quarrying.

Jan 1, 1996

By H Y. Fang, H Sutherland, R M. Koerner

Due to the increased number of complaints by property owners to blasting related industries an apparent need for a clearer understanding of blasting-related damage is needed. We feel that direct structural crack monitoring during such blasts is the appropriate measurement technique. Instrumentation and interpretation of results for taking such measurements are described in this paper. Typical results from blasting and other environmental effects are also described which can eventually be related to Fracture Mechanics principles in the hope of clarifying such disputes in an equitable manner.

Jan 1, 1976

By Robert Hopler

THE KEYSTONE NATIONAL POWDER COMPANY is an Independent organization, incorporated under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania. It has three dynamite mills near Emporium, Pa., with a daily capacity of 165,000 pounds. It maintains branch offices in practically all the largest cities east of the Rocky Mountains, and has distributing magazines located in every section where there is a demand for high explosives, with facilities for wagon deliveries. Our mills are all of modern type and are equipped with the most improved machinery for the manufacture of high explosives. The efficiency of our laboratory in conjunction with the high class of labor employed, has enabled us to put on the market an explosive, the quality of which is the result of extensive research and scientific knowledge. Our modern and complete equipment for harbor and railroad transportation insures our patrons of prompt deliveries, which is an essential feature particularly to contractors and those whose facilities for storage are limited.

Jan 1, 2013

By Bruce B. Redpath, Thomas E. Ricketts

Scaling laws commonly used for describing or predicting blast motions generated by conventional arrays of blastholes are dimensionally incorrect. The scaling of distance by the cube root of charge weight is correct only for spherical charges, and scaling by the square root of charge weight is incorrect for any charge configuration, although both approaches may result in empirically useful formulas for a limited range of charge sizes. Analysis of motions generated by a large set of underground blasts shows that scaling distance by the square root of the linear charge density, which is dimensionally correct for a cylindrical borehole, yields much more consistent results than the traditional scaling rules. Further, this scaling law is valid right up to the free face of the burden. A significant result of this work is that the peak particle velocity for an array of blastholes is primarily dependent on blasthole diameter and not on total charge weight or maximum explosive weight per delay, which are the commonly used parameters for scaling seismic amplitudes generated by conventional blasting arrays.

Jan 1, 1987

By Monica Stuckert

Field studies were made at an Appalachia coal stripping operation to evaluate the differences in cost and performance between blast casting with pre-split dewatering versus conventional coal overburden blasting.

Jan 1, 1985