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Blast Design for Improvement of Limestone Fragmentation  

Piyush, Rai (Dept. of Energy & Resources Eng., Chonnam National University, Dept. of Mining Eng., Banaras Hindu University)
Yang, Hyung-Sik (Dept. of Energy & Resources Eng., Chonnam National University)
Publication Information
Explosives and Blasting / v.28, no.1, 2010 , pp. 19-26 More about this Journal
Abstract
The paper presents a case study of a limestone quarry of the Philippines, where major problems in terms of improper fragmentation, poor wall control, and poor heave of the muck pile were witnessed. The paper highlights the significant role of switching over from diagonal firing pattern to V-type firing pattern, and also of making suitable adjustments in the stemming column length for improved confinement and gas retention. The study revealed that by making aforesaid design modifications in the blast round, marked improvement in blasting results was registered. Looking at the results, it was further contemplated to expand the mesh area in the subsequent blast rounds. The mesh area was incremented from the existing $8.96m^2$ to $12m^2$. The results were meticulously registered in the field, and clearly depicted definite improvements in the blast results in terms of increased P.F., reduced boulder count, reduced FEL cycle time, reduced dozing hours and improved heave.
Keywords
Fragmentation; Indirect method; Blast design; V type firing pattern;
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