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By Mark A. Rugen

It may be difficult to imagine but small engineering companies do exist, even in relatively large cities like San Antonio. Due to the limited capital available for the purchase or use of equipment such as computers, many times the small company must evaluate a blast damage claim by limited means. This paper will discuss how a relatively small company has managed to become the leading blast damage experts in an area without the use of computers or sophisticated equipment. It will be shown that a single individual in a company who is familiar with vibration theory, local soil conditions and who does not mind spending long hours with a calculator and reference books can satisfy both the insuranc e adjuster or attorney, and the homeowner concerning the claim. Several examples will be given which show the typical flow of work and the ultimate outcome. This paper will focus on the special problems encountered by a small firm and how these can be overcome, and the unique interaction of a small engineering firm with both the insurance adjuster/attorney and the homowner that can lead to an equitable settlement of the claim.

Jan 1, 1983

By P. E. Hoffman, Joshua Ph. D.

The Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME) led a post-detonation debris collection project in conjunction with a large AN railcar detonation conducted by the Department of Homeland SecurityTransportation Security Administration, Department of Defense-Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office, Sandia National Laboratories, and the U.S. Army Dugway Proving Grounds. This important work will aid in underpinning algorithms used in the IMESAFR (Institute of Makers of Explosives Safety Analysis for Risk) Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) tool. The test also provided valuable data about AN detonation characteristics when it is driven to detonation. The test took place at the Utah Dugway Proving Grounds (DPG) on April 27, 2018 and the debris collection was conducted the following two weeks with an average of 20 persons per day and an approximate total of 1,400 manhours. This paper details the collection efforts, challenges, and lessons learned. It also presents some of the initial findings relating to the debris distribution.

Jan 1, 2019

By Michael Karmis, Syed Muhammad Tariq, Zeshan Hyder

Secondary or boulders blasting is a regular feature of quarrying operations in Pakistan, especially in cement and stone crushing industries. The main reason for secondary blasting is the production of a large number of boulders during the production blast. These boulders are larger than the feed hopper of crushers and require further breaking. The complex geometry of boulders, relative lack of restraining burdens, and the availability of number of free faces make this kind of blasting more hazardous than production blasting. Secondary blasts have generally unpredictable results and may cause flyrock, airblast, and over-crushing of rock material. Thus, it is essential to have an appropriate amount of explosive charge/powder factor, and for it to be properly distributed in the blast hole. The greater the amount of explosive over the required amount, the more violent is the blast, which will result in more flyrock, airblast, and excessive crushing of boulders.

Jan 1, 2012

By Ankit Jha, Sudarshan Rajagopal, Purushotham Tukkaraja

Geologic structures are one of the crucial parameters in blast design. Structural geology and rock properties influence drilling patterns, blast layout, and initiation systems. A comprehensive understanding of structural characteristics is essential to achieve the desired blasting objectives. This paper aims to identify geologic features in a bench using images obtained from the drone. Images obtained from mine site are annotated for geological features such as faults and joints. Semantic segmentation of images is achieved using an encoder and decoder structure available in the machine-learning pipeline. The encoder consists of initial convolution and pooling layers to capture essential features of the geology and rock patterns from two-dimensional RGB images. Batch normalization is used to put all the features on the same scale. These images are then inputted as training data for the machine-learning algorithm. Machine learning model is trained on sub-section of interest to achieve reasonable accuracy. Initially, 1000 best annotations were used to train the model and additional samples were added later to achieve more accuracy and avoid iteration of machine learning model in wrong convergence. After the model achieves reasonable accuracy, it is used to recognize geological features on new data. Geological features identified on the new data can be used by the blasting crew in blast design and keeps the geological maps updated that can help the geotechnical team.

By Stuart Brashear, Steven Bell, Donald Smith

This Limestone site required the removal of a bench containing high quality rock located in close proximity to sump and pit pump. The sump and associated electrical box were below the bench that needed to be blasted and located only 70 feet (21.33 meters) away. It was proposed to blast material needed without moving or disturbing the pump or electrical junction box. The area to be blasted was flown with a drone and stitched into a 3D orthographic model. Proprietary blast design software was used to create a blast design solution that would allow for a series of blasts that would provide required fragmentation and muckpile development and not disturb the sump or electrical box. A drill patten was created for each blast using the burden heat map and 3D face profiles created from the 3D orthographic model. Timing contour lines and muckpile displacement predictions were used to create timing sequences for proper face movement away from the sump and electrical box. The shot designs were laid out with a GPS system to insure hole location accuracy. All holes were remeasured for proper face burdens using the 3D model and Boretrak®® data collected after drilling operations were completed to insure hole locations were within face burden tolerances as derived by the burden heat map. After each drill log was reviewed, a charge loading scenario was created for each hole. The timing design created, for each shot and was reviewed and adjusted as needed with regard to desired muckpile displacement away from the sump and electrical box. Blasting results were satisfactory, with fragmentation and muckpile development consistent with the calculated throw from the blast model, with no rock hitting the pump or box and no rocks striking the sump water and disturbing the pump motor.

Jan 21, 2025

By Blenda Lopes, Rodolfo Matias, Vagner Paixão, Vinicius Leão VALE, Edivarde Sousa

Seismography is an extremely important subject in the context of rock blasting, especially in the current scenario, which involves the need for increased controls due to the growth of urban areas near open-pit mining operations. Worldwide, communities are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental and social impacts associated with mining activities. Therefore, maintaining good relationships with these stakeholders is essential to preserve the social license to operate and to comply with current legislation. This situation is exemplified in an open-pit iron mine near the capital of Minas Gerais, Brazil, where the community is located less than 40 meters from the pit boundaries. Blasting activities within the mining area occur at distances less than 500 meters from the nearest community, making continuous seismograph monitoring necessary to ensure that operational conditions are maintained without compromising exploitation efficiency. The threshold for peak particle velocity, according to Brazilian Standard 9653:2018 by ABNT, is 15 mm/s at frequencies around 4 Hz. However, even though the peak particle velocity commonly registered was inferior to 3 mm/s, there were still complaints from nearby residents regarding human discomfort. To further reduce vibration levels, a study was conducted to implement a new blast design, considering factors such as reducing bench height, altering the hole delays, maintaining the maximum charge per delay, and adjusting the drilling pattern without negatively affecting rock fragmentation quality. Following the implementation of the revised blasting parameters, seismographic measurements in the region decreased to below 0.6 mm/s. This significant reduction in ground vibrations contributed to minimizing community disturbances and fostering a more positive relationship between the company and its surrounding residents.

Jan 26, 2026

By Julia Creasey, Natalie Hodgson, Claire Ward, Craig Davies, Helen Sarginson

"Emulsion explosive producers are attempting to lower the cost of emulsion production by using lowquality ammonium nitrate in emulsion formulations. Low quality ammonium nitrate contains additivessuch as anti-caking agents and crystal modifiers which contaminate the emulsions causing instability. This presents a need for an effective emulsifier that will maintain emulsion stability under thesechallenging conditions."

Jan 1, 2017

By Garfiansyah Rayes

In 2023, an Indonesian coal mine experienced significant contamination of an emulsion blend explosive by dynamic mud and water flow, triggered by flooding due to exceptionally high rainfall. This intrusion into explosive columns compromised the stability and efficiency of blasting operations, thereby impacting overall mining productivity. The extent and impact of these contaminants on the stability and performance of the emulsion blend explosive were rigorously analyzed through a robust assessment methodology that included comprehensive field measurements and controlled laboratory experiments designed to replicate the challenging site conditions. Utilizing a combination of theoretical calculations and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, this study evaluates the kinetic interactions between dynamic mud flows and emulsion explosives within drill holes. The methodology integrates Torricelli’s theorem for velocity assessments and Darcy’s Law for understanding the penetration mechanics of mud into the emulsion blend. CFD simulations are further correlated with actual blast data to assess discrepancies between theoretical predictions and real-world outcomes. Results demonstrate a significant reduction in the velocity of detonation (VOD) of the explo-sives, traced directly to mud contamination levels, which align with the quantified penetration rates in the study. Practical measures for mitigating such contamination are proposed, including the reinforcement of water-ways, culverts, and bund walls at drilling locations based on validated simulation data. Additionally, rec-ommendations for operational adjustments during high rainfall events are discussed, aiming to enhance blasting safety and efficiency. The paper concludes by suggesting future research directions towards the development of more resilient emulsion formulations and enhanced predictive modeling techniques to better forecast the impacts of en-vironmental variables on explosive performance in mining operations

Jan 21, 2025

By Jorge Cárdenas, Luis Huaroc, Máximo Cari, Nestor Delgado

In Peru, after four years of pandemic, some mining companies have chosen to install integrated operating centers in central offices where through network technology and video surveillance it allows them to carry out their activities remotely, this has become a disruptive strategy to promote a safer and smarter mining industry. Our fundamental value is to improve the quality of life, safety and well being of our collaborators, that is why we have created the remote blasting engineering control center " Core" that allows us to humanize mining. Core is an integration of experience, security, technology, quality of life and artificial intelligence; it has media technology connected directly to the mining operation, specialist engineers and technical assistants in team they seek to create optimal proposals of drilling and blasting designs remotely that generate added value to customers. In the planning process the team suggests drilling meshes, in the loading process there are optimized, digitized designs and efficiency in the factory trucks finally in the safety process allows us to identify inadequate pipes within the blasting project, deviation of procedures, remote inspections, identify operating conditions to prevent future risks that may arise in the blasting process. The remote communication systems allow you to monitor mining operations remotely to identify and alert any operational or security deviation that was not identified by the personnel present in the operation, as well as to store images in case investigations are required. The results obtained have allowed us to reduce the exposure of personnel to any risk of the mining operation, to optimize times in the activities of our engineers who are in the mining operations since there is the permanent support of centralized specialists to face every challenge that arises in the operation, for the engineers who are in the offices of Core can be very close to the family and do not lose it, and for our customers it is to meet their needs with engineers specialists in the drilling and blasting process, as well as in safety to be able to proactively cope with any deviation that arises.

Jan 21, 2025

By Italo Onederra, Gary Cavanough, Ewan Sellers

Reactivity of ammonium nitrate based explosives is associated with the presence of iron sulfides in the ground reacting with explosive products and in some instances causing spontaneous reactions which can lead to detonation. The stability of explosive products can also be linked to in-hole density, which influences detonation efficiency, breakage performance and the potential generation of Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) fumes. Reactive ground testing involves detecting a temperature rise of a mixture of a bulk explosive product sample, a ground rock sample and some specific chemical agents. This paper describes improvements in reactive ground testing involving the use of time lapse video analysis and detection of NOX gas emissions from the sample. Reactivity is stored and linked to a using cloud based software to map of the mine showing the exact location of the sample. The location marker can be selected to allow quick access to the sample test results and video. In addition to reactivity, the stability and detonation performance of bulk product can also be influenced by depth. In this paper, a system that simulates product at depth and measures density changes and monitors the structure of bulk samples is described. Results from an explosive product are analyzed and detonation performance is assessed by the measurement of velocity of detonation and detonation pressure.

Jan 1, 2018

By Bill Rose, Alan Foster

This paper will outline blasting as undertaken at the Flour Mill project in the Georgetown area of Washington, D.C. It will discuss the vibration and blasting problems found in blasting in high risk and highly populated areas, and the day to day methods used to minimize damage potential and still maintain adequate fragmentation.

Jan 1, 1979

By O. Cermak, F. Degonld

Although 3D fragmentation analysis is a relatively new technology, it is rapidly gaining popularity among mid-sized mining operations and quarries. The results provided by this technology are adequate, but like other picture analytic methods, it mainly focuses on the surface of the muck-pile. These results are incomplete or incorrect as falling rocks and boulders from the stemming zone are constantly influencing the muck-pile surface. This obstacle can be overcome by collecting a large amount of data and analyzing it over time. However, this is not always an ideal solution, as companies prefer to receive results immediately after the blast to make resource allocation decisions, production planning, and plan for the next blast. Over the past year and a half, we have conducted a study on various muck-pile fragmentation analysis results from 3D modeling in Central Europe, comparing the results between the surface and inside of the muck-pile. By analyzing multiple shot results, we were able to determine the percentage difference between the top and inside fragment sizes and calculate the range of correction coefficients for different rock types. Applying these coefficients to a single muck-pile surface fragmentation analysis allows us to determine the actual fragment sizes inside the muck-pile. This enables us to make informed decisions regarding loading, hauling, material mixing, and proper crushing or milling. By overcoming the limitation of surface-based analysis, we can now accurately evaluate blast performance, which leads to better processes optimization and increase efficiency. As 3D fragmentation analysis becomes more widespread, we expect to see even more benefits for the mining and quarrying industry

Jan 1, 2024

By Visitor Makiyi, Chris Batten

Poor coal recovery due to coal damage or loss caused by blasting can have a significant impact on a mining operation. Increasing coal recovery by reducing blast damage can provide a significant opportunity for coal mines to maximise their revenue and reduce their operating costs. This paper provides details on advanced drilling and blasting techniques used throughout the coal industry globally to prevent coal damage and movement during blasting. Typical coal loss and damage mechanisms are explained, along with how each of the applied techniques works to minimise the impact of each mechanism. Key requirements for a coal loss reduction program are detailed with typical design parameters used for each of the methods discussed. The positives and negatives of each method are also provided to enable comparisons and help determine suitability for a particular coal mining operation.

Jan 21, 2025

By Emmett J. Ientilucci, Martin Held, Xuesong Liu

Mining is crucial for advancing technology and science by providing essential resources and materials. Quarry blasting, a necessary process in mining, releases these resources and chemicals, driving research and engineering improvements. However, NOx (nitrogen oxides) is an undesired contaminant produced during quarry blasts, posing a significant negative impact on mining activities. Therefore, detecting and quantifying NOx emissions is essential for designing effective blasts, analyzing their dynamics, and reducing contaminant production. Image processing and machine learning, including deep learning methods, have been applied to solve smoke plume detection and segmentation tasks. Most research has focused on smoke from campfires or forest fires, which are important for early fire and smoke detection. However, there is limited research on quarry blast smoke using machine learning methods, which presents challenges for recognizing the smoke plume from complex background scenarios and objects, including collapsed rocks, scattered soil dust and dirt, and the dynamic movement of the scene due to blast vibrations. Detecting NOx within the smoke plumes is further challenging because NOx must be distinguished from the overall smoke plume, as they share many common spatial features. To resolve this issue, we propose an ensemble method for NOx detection that combines smoke plume segmentation with NOx fume detection. First, we apply a smoke plume segmentation model to identify the smoke plume regions. Then, we use these masked-out smoke plume regions to detect NOx based on its unique color features. The first stage of the ensemble method helps block out complicated confusers in the background, such as reddish and brownish dirt. Next, we specifically design a color classifier for NOx to further improve its sensitivity. We evaluate the overall video-wise performance using accuracy, false alarm, and miss rates based on sampled image frames from videos. Additionally, we assess the mean Intersection over Union (mIoU) for smoke plume segmentation and the mean Average Precision (mAP) for image-wise performance from an algorithmic perspective. In summary, this paper represents the first attempt to apply machine learning approaches to NOx detection in a memory-efficient and time-efficient manner.

Jan 21, 2025

By Raymond H. Green, Mitchell W. Green

The authors examined the application of precise millisecond delay electric blasting at a well-known Vermont quarry. The paper explains how the use of a new high-accuracy electric delay detonator has improved fragmentation, raised productivity 10%, simplified blast design, and increased the ability to predict results from blasting.

Jan 1, 1986

By Hans Perlid

In the handling of emulsion explosives pumping is a key operation. A number of serious accidents has shown that pumping can be a risky operation and should be care&lIy considered and investigated. This is the background behind a series of pump tests carried out by NTTRO NOBEL.

Jan 1, 1996

By Lars Osen

Both fragmentation and safety can be improved by following proper procedures in loading boreholes. Proper loading procedures such as primer location, borehole sealing, decking, and stemming along with the hazards of dropping on primers are presented. Discussions follow on the reason for the use of each procedure along with the possible consequences such as hazards, misfires, or poor fragmentation.

Jan 1, 1985

By William A. Travnik

For more than 60 years, ESSO RESOURCES CANADA LIMITED has been producing and refining oil at a small refinery in Norman Wells, Northwest Territories, and supplying diesel fuel and other oil products to northern markets. In 1982,ESSOwas granted governmental approval to expend production from the oil field from 475 cubic metres a day to 4400 cubic metres a day. This $800,000,000projectproceeded ahead of schedule for a start up in 1985.

Jan 1, 1986

By Jared Redyke

Thursday, October 14, 1999 marked another important milestone for America’s space program. At exactly 10:05 AM EST on a beautiful, sunny Florida morning, Dykon, Inc. of Tulsa, Oklahoma detonated approximately 300 pounds of explosives to fell the seven million pound Umbilical and Mobile Service Towers at Space Launch Complex 41 (SLC-41) at NASA’s Cape Canaveral Space Station. Completed in 1965 at the height of the Space Race to the moon, the Mobile Service Tower/Umbilical Towers (MST/UT) were part of the Titan rocket launch facilities. The MST was 265 feet high and weighed over five million pounds. The UT was 175 feet high and weighed over 2 million pounds.

Jan 1, 2001

By Takeo Ueda, Masashi Nakano

We have developed a new blasting system remotely controlled by an electromagnetic firing method, which has proved advantageously applicable to sites where rapid tidal current or deep water may cause serious troubles in underwater blasting operation by a conventional method.

Jan 1, 1983