Blasting parameter optimization in

limestone mine

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 1.INTRODUCTION
• Various blasting parameters affect the blasting result
• Blasting variable mainly two types-
• Uncontrollable: the variables over which we have do
not control,such as
• geology,
• rock characterstics
• local specifications. In mining the basic aim is to
achieve maximum extraction of minerals keeping in
view the environmental economic and lease
constraints.
• Optimization means achieving the maximum mineral
extraction with minimum cost and environmental
hazards. 2
 Summary of optimum blast design
1. The explosive energy must be evenly distribute to
achieve uniform fragmentation.
this requires
* proper hole diameter to bench height relationship
* appropriate burden to spacing relationship
* careful implementation of the design
* angle drill in some cases to match existing face
condition
2. Mentain explosive quality control with routine
testing 3
 Concept of optimum blasting
• Optimum blasting means that maximum explosive
energy utilized in blast.
• Cost cutting is the main purpose of the optimum
blasting in mining operation.
• So that we have to done optimize the various
controllable blasting variable as per the condition
requirement.

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 2. Purpose of blasting parameter
optimisation in open cast mine

• Main purpose is to increase the blasting

performance
• Cost cutting or better utilization of capital
• Minimize the blasting hazards
• To protect the environment

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 3. Blasting parameters
• Hole diameter
• spacing
• Burden
• Hole depth
• Sub-grade drilling
• Stemming & stemming material
• Wooden spacer
• Number of holes in the blast
• Delay timing
• Types of explosives and initiation system
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Case study of vikram cement limestone
mine
• Staggered drilling pattern are used at vikram
cement mine.
• We studied various blasting parameters which are
using at vikram cement mine and after that we
optimized the blasting parameter for gain better
blasting result.
• Optimization of blasting parameter are mainly
depend upon optimum cost in mining operation.
• So that we studied different blast hole result on the
basis of cost cutting and optimized the blasting
parameters. 7
 Blast hole result at vikram cement
mine
• Blast no. 1
• Name of mine: SK-3
• Place of blast: IV E-N
• Blasting parameters:
• Hole diameter (mm): 115
• Depth of hole (m): 06
• Burden (m): 03
• Spacing (m): 06
• Slope of face (degree): 70
• No. of blast hole:9
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 BLAST RESULT OF HOLE 2
• Blast pattern: staggered
• Volume of rock blasted (Te): 2430
• Explosive used:
• Maximum charge per delay: 25.50
• Total explosive used(kg): 280.50
• Initiation system:
• Delay b/w hole to hole or row to row: MSDD
• Stemming (m):
• Length of stemming(m): 03
• Type of stemming material: drill cutting
• Blast result:
• Powder factor (Te/kg) : 08.66
• Fragmentation: Good
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 BLAST RESULT OF HOLE 3
• Name of mine: SK-3
• Place of blast: III E-N
• Blasting parameters:
• Hole diameter (mm): 115
• Depth of hole (m): 8.5
• Burden (m): 03
• Spacing (m): 6.5
• Slope of face (degree): 70
• No. of blast hole: 12 10
.
.
• Blast pattern: staggered
• Volume of rock blasted (Te): 4972.5
• Explosive used:
• a) Maximum charge per delay: 46.75
• b) Total explosive used(kg):561
• Initiation system:
• Delay b/w hole to hole or row to row: MSDD
• Stemming (m):
• Length of stemming(m): 03
• Type of stemming material: drill cutting
• Blast result:
• Powder factor (Te/kg): 8.86
• Fragmentation: Good
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 COMPARE OF HOLE RESULTS
• From comparision between blast 1 and blast 2
We concluded that when we increase S/B ratio then
powder factor increased
In other words explosive energy utilisation also
increased

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 BURDEN
(in practice , burden=1/2 to 1/3 of bench height )
(B=0.024D+0.85m, D = hole dia. In mm)
 Burden is defined as the shortest distance to relief at
the time of blast. .
 If the burden is too small :- rock is throw at a
considerable distance from the face air-blast levels are
high and the fragmentation will be excessively fine.
 If the burdens are too large, several back- break occurs
behind the last row of blast holes .
 Excessive burdens cause over confinement of blast
holes, which result in high level of ground vibrations
per weight of explosives being used.
 Rock breakage will be extremely coarse and often
causes bottom of toe problem, when burden is kept
large 13
 SPACING
(spacing = 1.0 to 1.5 of burden) (S= 0.9B+0.91m)

• The distance between adjacent blast holes, measured

perpendicular to the burden , is defined as the spacing .
• Spacing calculations are functions of a burden.
• If spacings are significantly less than the burden, it
tends to cause early stemming ejection and premature
splitting between blast holes due to the rapid release of
gases to the atmosphere, and result in noise and air
blast.
• When the spacings are too large, the fragmentation of
rock may be poor, and may cause an uneven floor.
• Consequently , burden and spacing decisions are made
by careful analysis of geology, explosives, condition at
the site , and experience. 14
 STEMMING
stemming length is generally taken 1/3 of the hole depth
 A stemming distance of 0.7 to 1.0 of burden is
adequate to keep material from ejecting prematurely
from the hole.
 But if the blast is poorly designed, the above stemming
distance may not be adequate to keep the stemming
from blowing out.
 A delicate balance exists between not enough or too
much stemming.
 Fly- rock and excessive air blast can be caused when
there is not enough stemming.
 Too much could lead to excessive vibration and
fragmentation. 15
BLAST PATTERN PARAMETERS

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 STEMMING MATERIAL
• the most common material used for stemming is drill
cuttings
• Very fine drill cuttings will not hold in the blast hole and
is easily ejected, and produces dust.
• The optimum size of stemming material would be the
material that has an average diameter of
approximately 0.05 times the diameter of the blast
hole.
• If the drill holes are wet to the collar, the use of
crushed stone can result in better fragmentation and
control.
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 SUB-GRADE DRILLING
Sub-grade drilling is approximately =10% of bench height

• Blast holes may not break to full depth, especially

when blasting takes place in dense rock.
• Too much sub-grade drilling is waste and may cause
excessive vibration because of the increased
confinement .
• Insufficient sub-grade drilling can cause a high
bottom, ultimately causing excessive equipment
wear and the need for secondary blasting .
• Sub-grade drilling is approximately =10% of bench
height 18
 INCLINED HOLE DRILLING
• Drilling of inclined blast holes depend mainly on
the availability of drilling machines in the mine.
Advantages of angle drilling :
Less back break .
Less problem at grade , i.e. , bench stability is better
.
More throw especially on low benches .
Better fragmentation on low benches.
Loose rock better held on face by gravity
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 DECK CHARGING
• The technique of decking is to divide the explosive
column into two or more charges.
• This is accomplished by loading inert materials , such as
drill cuttings or crushed stone , between the explosive
charges.
• The purpose of decking is to give confinement of
explosive gases where a soft seam or void is
encountered or to assure a better energy distribution.
• This technique is also used to reduce the explosive
weight per delay when blasting in an area of vibration
constraint.
• This decision is often made upon analysis of scaled
distance calculation or analysis of seismic records.
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 WOODEN SPACER
• Wooden spacer is used either at the bottom of the
hole or between the explosive column
• use at the bottom of the hole to increase powder
factor and shift explosive column toward upward

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 Air decking technique:
in this technique wooden
spacer of 1m to 1.5m is
used.

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 CONCLUSION
• An optimum blast design results reduced ground vibrations,
fly-rock, air overpressure, and better fragmentation which in
turn reduces cost of drilling and blasting and cost of loading
and transportation.
• From the above discussion one can say that, for an optimum
blast design all these factors must be carefully considered
such as, choice of explosives, blast geometry (burden,
spacing, stemming,subgrade drilling, height of the bench and
hole diameter), and initiation system.
• Air decking technique can be used to reduce the consumption
of explosives, ground vibrations and fly rock.
• Air decking technique causes better utilization of explosive
energy.
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