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By Robert Hopler

INTRODUCTION NOT so very many years ago the farm was about the last place where one would expect to find up-to-date mechanical appliances. Steam, explosives, electricity—the factors which have made the world in general, and America in particular, what it is today— were indispensable for the railroad and the steamboat, the factory and the mine, but the farmer’s work was generally run on a comparatively small scale, and was mostly done by the muscles of men or draft animals. Today, however, the farmer as well as the manufacturer, the contractor and the miner, fully appreciate the value of labor-saving devices. Every up-to date farm, large or small, has modem machinery that tends to reduce the cost of production or to improve farm products.

Jan 1, 2011

By Satish Kate

Mining of Iron Ore in India is done by Surface Mining methods and most of the deposits are massive and are occurring in Hills, surrounded by green forest cover. While majority of iron ore produced are from mechanized mining systems, some quantities are also produced from semimechanised mines. In mechanized mines, apart from state-of-the-art level of mechanization, the Run-off-Mine ore is subjected to multi-stage crushing, screening and washing/beneficiation, for improving the grade and ensure segregating of different size range. The steel plants within the country have been operating their own captive mines, where both lumps and fines are used in their furnaces. In case of mines, which exclusively supply ores to export market, the lumps produced yield very high price and thus efforts are being made to maximize lumps recovery. The mine, where the author had been associated, is an export-oriented mine which supplies iron-ore to Japanese steel plants.

Jan 1, 2004

By Herve Duplaine, Charles H. Dowding

Calculation of response spectra for blast induced vibrations is necessary to fully understand and in some instances comply with frequency or distance related safe blasting criteria. Fortunately, micro-computer systems costing less than $5000 (such as that described herein) can be programmed to calculate response spectra. This system will calculate response spectra from paper as well as FM tape records. It both digitizes (prepares the record for computer calculation) as well as calculates. Programs for the calculation have been written in BASIC, an easy to understand language used with word processors. In addition to describing the equipment and operation of the micro computer the paper will discuss the process of and rules for digitization, use of the computer for record production and will present a simple physical model for understanding dynamic structural response.

Jan 1, 1984

By Roberto Folchi, Hans Wallin

Lake Mead, the largest man-made reservoir in the United States, is located about 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas, Nevada. For the construction of Lake Mead third water intake, which is entirely placed underground, an underwater excavation was needed at a depth of 100 m (330 ft): a large surface had to be deepened by 20 m (66 ft) in basalt.

Jan 1, 2012

By Michael J. Burrell

Sands Hill Coal, located in Wellston, Ohio produces coal for steam generation and crushed limestone for the aggregate market in southeastern Ohio. This paper concerns the blasting and production of the limestone which lies between the #5 and #4 coal seams. The limestone bed averages 8 to 10 feet in thickness and is overlain with 17 to 20 feet of shale from the floor of the #5 seam.

Jan 1, 1990

With the ever increasing problems of narrowing profit margins, and increased liability, a solution/option to SEE members is needed. It is essential that all members understand the benefits of utilizing explosives in combination with other methods of achieving the required result on difficult rock or concrete removal projects.

Jan 1, 1995

By Francisco Sena Leite, Pedro Brito, Gean Frank, PhD Soeiro de Carvalho, Jose, Vinicius Miranda

The consequences of rock blasting with explosives are directly related to the accuracy of drilling and, because they have an effect on fragmentation and ground level, they should be controlled to ensure a problem free production, increase work safety and reduce environment impact. Safety control is one of the most important processes in detonation, since it can compromise the worker security on site and, eventually, neighboring communities. Due to the technology advancements, it is possible to build a hole deviation control device with “of the shelf” parts, and for that reason the authors decided to evaluate the possibility of measuring hole deviation by creating a portable prototype using an electronic sensor capable of measuring the acceleration on objects, that is, to measure the own acceleration of a system, known as "accelerometer" and a micro-controller to handle and treat data. The main idea behind this paper is to validate the power of the Euler method, given the stepping limitations of the sensor and micro controller in order to reproduce of the hole shape. A case study was carried out, comparing the measurements of borehole deviations made by a traditional equipment and the prototype. A mobile application was also created in order to recover and treat and display the data to the user. For validation of the prototype, several holes were measured using the two devices. A residue analysis was used to validate the data obtained. After analyzing and confirming the effectiveness of the new equipment, the normality tests prove a symmetric distribution with null expected residual mean and minimum variance. Consequently, the accuracy of the prototype is evidenced. Thus, the authors aspire to emphasize the potential of using these sensors allied to a traditional numerical method for analysis of hole deviation.

Jan 1, 2019

By Alastair Grogon

Proper coupling of a geophone to a monitoring surface is probably the single most important step in accurately recording and measuring ground vibrations from a blast. Over the years, a number of monitoring methodologies have been published. Some of these were published as a "standard", by organizations such as the International Standards Organization, others as suggested methods by various authors in papers or text books, or in the users manuals supplied by seismograph manufacturers. These monitoring standards differ, and are sometimes apparently contradictory. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the coupling methodologies from a number of these "standards", point out similarities and differences, and discuss the technical basis behind some of the different methods.

Jan 1, 1998

By RR Vandebeek, A W. Bauer

The Canadian Explosives Research Laboratory regularly evaluates the properties of commercial explosives for authorization under the Canada Explosives Act. Propagation sensitivity is normally measured using small scale tests. Relating the results in actual mining practice is difficult. In the mining industry, the propagation sensitivity is a measure of the ability of one cartridge to propagate to an adjacent cartridge in a borehole. They may be separated by a gap of in-filling material. As well the propagation sensitivity will be affected by the explosive type, temperature, degree of coupling, cartridge diameter and other factors.

Jan 1, 1987

By M Thierry Bernart

The software QUALITIR is a software developed by CNSIDCI, framework on five research and experimentation years. This conceived tool by specialists for professionals is a decision aided design tool concerning mining. It makes party the rare software regrouping the different themes approached by the profession namely, the general idea of blast design, blasting sequences, the fragmentation as well as the study of vibrations. Henceforth it is by the intermediary of such tools that performances in term of profitability, security or impact on the environment will be able to be realized.

Jan 1, 1997

By Quentin Rhoton

To benefit two endangered fish species, waterfowl and other wildlife, and water quality in the lake and downstream, the decision was made to remove levees that had been in place since the 1950s. Because the levee material was mainly dredged up lake bottom peat, it was decided to pare down the sites chosen for breaching with dozers and trackhoes. This material was spread out onsite instead of expensive removal by dumping elsewhere. Because of the instability of the final pared down levees and the lake level being at a ten-year low, it was decided to use explosives to breach four of the sites. After over five months of earthmoving and two weeks of loading holes, the levees were detonated the day before Halloween, 2007. Somehow pumpkins showed up to be part of the explosive activities.

Jan 1, 2009

By Laurance A. Beck

Safety is the most important aspect of haul road design. Although other aspects of road installation enter decisions on design, the safety of persons using the road has to be foremost for the duration of haul road usage. Other aspects of mad design focus on minimizing truck cycle time and fitting haul roads to the long-term configuration of the mine/quarry or construction project. Roads are often installed at high gradients for a short-term goal, but the long-term benefits are easily shown with lower gradient haul roads which provide better cycle times and lower operating costs.

Jan 1, 1995

By Lyle Dennis

Emphasis on increased production while maintaining rigid quality standards has necessitated a change in blasting technology at Dacotah Cement's limestone and gypsum quarries. The following three methods implemented during the past three years have yielded an increase in production through improved fragmentation.

Jan 1, 1996

By P. R. Mohanty, Kaushik Dey

Blast-induced tunnel overbreak prediction in the past has been based on peak particle velocity measured far from the blast site with necessary extrapolation. This has often resulted in suggesting higher damage threshold levels of Acceleration/PPV for overbreak prediction (Bogdanhoff, 1995, Holmberg and Persson, 1997, Murthy and Dey, 2002). These, site-specific far-field blast vibration studies, have also revealed that predicted PPV levels for overbreak could lie in the range of 700-5000 mm/s, an extremely wide range to generalize. Experimental blasts were conducted, in an underground metal mine located in eastern India, with an objective to study the level of acceleration /peak particle velocity generated in tunnel blasting. Accelerometers and tri-axial geophones with measuring ranges upto 500 g, 254 mm/s respectively, were mounted on the tunnel floor close to the blast face, with sensor distances varying from 15.25m to 36.10m. Due to straight faces the measuring distance could not be reduced further anticipating, in particular, cable damage. The equipment used was of M/s Instantel Inc., Canada. The blast pattern used was burn cut with large dia relief holes providing the required free face. The blast hole depth was 1.8m. Tunnel overbreak was measured using a telescopic offset rod fabricated at Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, India.

Jan 1, 2004

By Ruilin Yang

"Blast vibrations are essentially a strain/stress wave propagating in rock or structures inthe vicinity of a blast. However, blast vibration has always been quantified in terms ofpeak particle velocity (PPV) or acceleration (PPA), and a meaningful relationshipbetween blast vibration and strain/stress has not been established. The determination ofthe dynamic strain from blast vibration may improve quantification of blast damage andselection of a blast vibration limit for critical structures or high walls. Dynamic strainrelates to rock mechanics or material strength more directly than peak particle velocity(PPV). This paper documents a method to calculate the three-dimensional dynamic straintensor from recorded blast vibration signals. The method is based on determination of thedisplacement gradient at a point of interest for each time instance during the vibrationduration. The method to calculate dynamic strain is applicable to generic seismicwaveforms including near and far field blast vibration from a production blast withmultiple blast holes. In order to minimize measurement errors the specifications of thespacing between monitors and the sampling frequency of the vibration recording aredescribed."

Jan 1, 2012

By Robert B. Hopler

To understand any technology it is necessary that a thorough background of how we got to the present stage is necessary. To do that with the subject of initiation devices we need to begin many hundreds of years ago.

Jan 1, 1990

By Lawrence C. Schneider

In the past decade regulations governing the manufacture, distribution, storage, and use of explosives have proliferated. These laws have been developed by a host of federal agencies with no coordination. The result has been contradictory and impractical standards, which once adopted, are resistant to change or repeal. The current OSHA standards are one example which is examined in detail. The Commonwealth of Kentucky has made progress in modifying these standards, and still providing protection to the blaster and the public.

Jan 1, 1981

By Mark Bauckman

Discussion Topics • Market Needs • Technology Developments & Best Practices • Industry & Government Developments • Future Possibilities & Your Role

Jan 1, 2006

By T Davids, O J. Jordaan, M D. J Bonneau

As in most other parts of the world, the surface coal mining industry in South Africa is introducing emulsion explosives as the primary bulk blasting agent for use in wet borehole conditions where AN/FO cannot be used. Most of the emulsion products presently in use are gassed to provide sensitivity. The intimate mix between the fuel and oxidizer in the emulsion has been shown to produce a highly efficient explosive. However, a major difference between emulsion and the previous slurry products is its relatively low physical strength. This prompted Rand Mines' Duvha Opencast Mine, a major South African Escom power colliery, to conduct test work to illustrate the effect of emulsion physical consistency on blasthole loading. This paper presents the results of test work conducted at Duvha to investigate the problems associated with loading both AN/FO and emulsion in water filled holes, stemming emulsion holes, and in particular, to illustrate the difficulty in correctly introducing a stemming deck into the emulsion column. Time dependent behavior of the loaded emulsion holes is investigated. Velocity of detonation measurements for freshly manufactured emulsion, and for emulsion after loading through water with sleep times of up to 10 days, are presented.

Jan 1, 1987

By Wilfrid Comeau

This paper deals with the concept of a Quality-Assurance Manual, to the ISO-9001 Level, for quarry blasting in the urban environment. A case history of the incident, which led to its development, is presented in addition to three other case histories. These case histories are related to the potential effectiveness of a well thought-out and applied Quality-Assurance Manual in the conclusions. The basic principle, behind the development of a Q-A manual, is to supply a maximum of quality assurance with a minimum of disturbance to the operation of the quarry. This requires that every intervener in the quarry blasting operations, from management to labourer, be made responsible for the quality of their work. This basic goal can be achieved with a minimum of paper work and added bureaucracy. The manual respects the ISO principle that: Q-A Manuals are not recipe books and should allow for continuing technological developments.

Jan 1, 2003