A major problem that has continued to plague the surface and
underground coal industries is blast induced damage to the coal seam.
Blasting Analysis International, in conjunction with a number of other
organizations, has continued to address this concern through 14 years of
field research in 68 full-scale production environments worldwide. Compiled results were obtained from varying field conditions. These
included single and multiple seam coal mines, horizontal, rolling and
steeply dipping coal seams and varied borehole diameters (ranging from
102 to 381 mm) and when using various explosive formulations. Results
are discussed in detail along with the tools, test methods and analysis
techniques to identify and quantify the problems. Over ten major causes
of coal damage were identified. A number of practical and economic recommendations are presented
that can benefit the entire coal and blasting industry especially in
commercial operations whose economic growth relies heavily upon
recovering an undamaged coal seam.