South Africa is the world's largest producer of gold. The survival of its
gold mining industry is dependent, to a large extent, on the successful
implementation of new mining technology which reduces the operating
costs. Gold mines of the country have a record of a high operational cost per
tonne of rock excavated. The geology of the gold-bearing rock, in
addition to the mining depth and the gold recoverable grade, profoundly
affect the profitability of the industry. Among the other mining operations, drilling and blasting take a fair
share of the mining cost. It is therefore proper to implement a dynamic
approach of technological review aimed at combating the escalation of
mining costs. Over the years, the industry has moved away from labour intensive
activities. Mechanised operations are introduced where possible.
Management techniques are oriented more towards better utilisation of
human resources and machinery so as to enhance productivity in the
stopes. This paper addresses the issue with particular reference to blasting
operations in the stopes of deep gold mines. It reviews the conventional
drilling and blasting techniques. It outlines some innovative changes
brought about in the course of recent years with the aim of optimising
productivity and the stope efficiency in particular. It focusses on the
peculiarities of the blasting technology in deep mines. It discusses the
issue of interaction between the high stress fields underground and the
blasting generated stresses on rock fragmentation, as well as their impact
on the remaining excavations. It anticipates the concept of the new
technology of selective blasting in stoping. Finally it puts forward the
crucial role played by management of the human factor underground.