Blasting is one of the most important operations involved in surface coal mining. The removal of over- burden waste in surface coal mines of India had experienced many improvements in terms of blasting, explosives selection, blast design, equipment selection, deployment._x000D_
etc. Two case studies of very large surface coal mines have particular importance in their blasting operations. Both these units have been equipped with large capacity excavating machines, hauling units and also have some difficult mining situations. Blasting is done in benches in close proximity to human dwellings and over coal seams developed by underground methods with problems of high wall stability etc, as well. The various steps taken to improve the blasting operations ensure smooth operation of the equipment to meet the targetted coal production.