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Conference Proceedings

11th International Symposium on Rock Fragmentation by Blasting

Conference Proceedings

11th International Symposium on Rock Fragmentation by Blasting

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Benefits Related to Applications of a Mass Blast in Open Cut Mining

Mass blasts have been the subject of extensive studies because of their potential benefits in mining operations. However, it has not been possible to advance due to the paradigm that states that the blasts near the designed final wall or to critical structures have to be low tonnage. Another reason is the absence of specialised simulation programs to more precisely determine the influence of the energy released by blasting to the rock mass. There are some studies that demonstrate the possibility of massive blasting that maintain the design of the final slope (Farias and Santander, 2014). It should be noted that these studies develop the concept that the size of the blast should not increase the peak vibration in the rock mass.The study was carried out in partnership with Los Colorados Mining Company. Analysis, reconciliation and wall control for two types of blasts were performed:blasting production: approximately 850 000 t, with special wall control considerationsblasting of approximately 950 000 t over the entire width of the bench.Monitoring systems were used in the near field and far field using examination of holes in order to obtain information to assess the impact on the rock mass and then to compare these to conventional blasting combining production and contour blasting.The results show that for a large blasted volume, production and/or those generated from toe to crest on the bench did not produce more impact in the rock mass than the conventional blasting.The conclusions drawn from this study are:an improvement in the excavation rate of 7500 t/h that is higher than the maximum rates normally obtainedthe peak vibrations of the P wave generated by both blasts did not exceed the peak particle velocity criteria (Vergara and Muoz, 2014)holes examination indicating no difference in their entire length, in pre- and post-blast reviewover US$2 000 000 savings generated in the year (estimated by the client) (Avils, 2014).CITATION:Vergara, J, Muoz, C, Ortega, N and Avils, D, 2015. Benefits related to applications of a mass blast in open cut mining, in Proceedings 11th International Symposium on Rock Fragmentation by Blasting, pp 625-632 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).
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  • Published: 2014
  • PDF Size: 1.061 Mb.
  • Unique ID: P201507070

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