Blasting Pattern Followed in Opencast Mines

In opencast mines both vertical and inclined holes parallel with bench face is practiced. Row of
the holes may be in single or multiple. So there are mainly two types of blasting pattern followed
in opencast mines. These are:
a) Single Row blasting pattern
b) Multi-row blasting pattern

1. Single row firing pattern:

In single row blasting the fragmentation is low and specific explosive consumption is
more than multi-row blasting, so multi-row blasting pattern is preferred.
In this the following patterns are used:
a) The alternate delay pattern (used for softer rocks),
b) Consecutive shot delay pattern (rock with medium hardness),
c) Short delay firing with a cut (used for hard rocks).

Figure 1:-Sequence of initiation in single row blasting

2. Multi Row firing pattern:
The Multi Row Firing pattern is of mainly five types:
a) Square grid in-line initiation (spacing(S) = effective burden (B)).
b) Square grid ‘V’ pattern (S = B; SE =2.BE).
c) Square grid ‘V1’ pattern (S = B; SE = 5.BE).
d) Staggered grid ‘V’ pattern (S = B; SE = 1.25BE).
e) Staggered grid ‘V1’ pattern (S = B; SE = 3.25BE).

Figure 2(a):- Multi row firing patterns

 Figure 2(b):- Multi row firing patterns

Beside cut pattern other pattern of blasting in multi row of firing are as given below:
• Transverse cut pattern: They are used where smaller width of muck pile is desired.
• Wedge or trapezoidal blasting pattern: They are used when the rocks are medium hard
and hard one. Due to the motion in opposite direction in this case the big boulders are
broken by supplementary collision.

Figure 3:- Transverse cut pattern and Wedge blasting Pattern

• Diagonal blasting pattern: With this it is possible to blast the rock towards the least
resistance and improve the fragmentation of rock.

Figure 4:- Diagonal blasting pattern