Sample 1

BLAST DESIGN OPTIMIZATION TO IMPROVE MATERIAL

FRAGMENTATION AT NYANZA QUARRY

1.1 Statement of the Problem

Rock blasting is the controlled use of explosives and other methods such as gas pressure blasting
pyrotechnics or plasma processes, to excavate, break down or remove rock. It is often practiced in
mining, quarrying and civil engineering works. Boulders formation after blasting is a problem which
Nyanza Road Quarry is currently facing. These boulders formation led to secondary blasting and
resulting in increased time and cost of operation.

Blast design is a procedure that set safe criteria for the control of blast effects such as fly rock, boulders
and rock that may cause accident. At Nyanza Quarry there is the problem of achieving poor blast
fragmentation that contributes to the problem of loading, hauling and crushing. The designed blast size
is 350 mm but the actual blast sizes average at 1475 mm resulting to a deviation of 1200 mm on
average. Due to poor fragmentation, the production has been lowered from 1500 to 1350 tonnes per
day. Therefore the study aims at optimizing blast design parameters to improve rock fragmentation at
Nyanza quarry.
1.2 Objectives of the Study

1.2.1 Main Objective

The foremost objective of this project is to optimize blast design parameters in order to improve rock
fragmentation at Nyanza quarry.

1.2.2 Specific Objectives

The specific objectives resulting from the main objective are: -

 To analyse factors causing poor blasting fragmentation at Nyanza Quarry

 To establish optimal blast design parameters

 To establish optimal drilling and blasting costs

1.3 Project Scope

Despite of the various factors influential to blast fragmentation, this study will address the role of
important parameters required for good fragmentation, such parameters includes hole diameter,
burden, spacing, hole depth and powder factor.

1.4 Significance of the Study

The purpose of this project is to improve the rock fragmentation which will minimize delays on haulage
as well as to improve the loading and crushing operations which will lead to high productivity.

Sample 2

EFFECTS OF GEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES AND BLAST DESIGN

PARAMETERS ON ROCK FRAGMENTATION AT TPCC

1.5 Statement of the Problem

In modern mining industry, the blasting technique is one of the most utilized techniques for rock
excavation and fragmentation due to its economical and efficient aspects. Efficient design is of
paramount importance for safety and desired fragmentation results. Inefficient design may lead to
unsafe environment and increasing cost for secondary breakage and crushing. Blastability of the rock
influenced by the nature of its geological properties in which they control the effectiveness of the
fragmentation process.

Tanzania Portland Cement Company LTD (TPCC) quarry is conducting its blasting operations in a soft,
medium to hard limestone rock. Joints and fracture zones exists in some areas where rock quality is
poor. The density of the rock is 2.7 g/cm³ and the p wave velocity is around 3500 m/s. The primary
crusher has a gap of 0.6 metres and deviation production per blast threshold is 10%. The company
currently has DP1100i capable of drilling 96 to 102 mm holes with a 6% drill blasthole deviation.
Current blasting practices result in poor fragmentation with boulders formations, which in turn increase
cost related to re-handling and secondary blasting. The boulders range from 0.6 to 1.5 m in size with an
average size of 1000 mm. Customized blast design parameters used in different blocks of the quarry
having different geological properties as an attempt to solve the problem. This attempt failed to address
the problem; hence, this work will shed light on fragmentation problem at TPCC by analysing the
parameters using MS Excel and blasting software.
1.6 Objectives of the Study

1.6.1 Main Objective

The foremost objective of this project is to study the effect of geological properties and blast design
parameters on rock fragmentation to moderate boulders formation at Twiga cement.

1.6.2 Specific Objectives

The specific objectives resulting from the main objective are:

 To characterize geological properties affecting rock fragmentation

 To investigate the existing blast design parameters and their effects on fragmentation
 To redesign blast design parameters that suite site geological properties and
fragmentation requirements

1.7 Project Scope

Even with the various factors influential to rock fragmentation, this work will report the role of
geological properties and important parameters required for good fragmentation, such parameters
includes explosive properties, rock p wave velocity, rock factor, rock density design parameters and
fragmentation parameters. The study will cover only block 64A.

1.8 Significance of the Study

The goal of the project is to deliver good rock fragmentation, minimize delays on haulage, re-handling of
boulders, crusher hang-up, and improve productivity through enhanced loading and crushing
operations.