In order to fully understand why Amax Coal puts such extreme emphasis
on the drilling and blasting programs at each of our mines, we must
review the past. This paper will discuss the drilling and blasting
techniques we used in the 1970s and their evolution to current practices. As time progressed, major changes influenced the surface mining of
coal through new more restrictive governmental controls and local
communities organising into groups with two goals in mind, one to shut
down the mines and the second to try and get rich by making false and
unjust damage suits against the mines. In virtually all of our midwest
surface operations we have at one time or presently are facing litigation
that has reached into the millions of dollars. Amax Coal has worked in co-operation with the United States Bureau
of Mines in the areas of blast vibration, shot design, highwall safety, blast
casting studies and many more. Today we are continuing to work with Dr
David Siskind and his expert staff seeking answers to old and new
problems addressing the blasting of overburden and parting seams.