MG 231: INTRODUCTION TO GEOLOGY AND MINING COURSE CONTENT

Course objectives:
- To give the student an opportunity to learn, understand and apply basic concepts
of geology and mining
- To make the student appreciate the concepts and methods of modern mining
and geology
- To enable the students, appreciate comminution in mineral dressing and its origin
Learning outcomes:
- Enable the student to understand the introduction to geology and mining
- The student should understand the aspects of geology and mining
- The students will be able to appreciate the importance of drilling and blasting in
rock fragmentation
Course content:
(a) Mining –
1. Introduction: mining operations; terms and layouts.
2. Drilling: operations; machines and rigs; drilling patterns
3. Explosives: types and properties; safety; storage and handling
4. Blasting: accessories; rock breaking and excavation theory; electric and non-
electric blasting and principles of blasting systems
MINING
INTRODUCTION TO MINING

1.1 MINING TERMINOLOGIES

There are many terms and expressions unique to mining that characterize the
field and identify the user of such terms as a “mining person.” The student of mining and
mine surveying, therefore, is thus advised to become familiar with all the terms used in
mining, particularly those that are peculiar to either mines or minerals. Most of the
mining terminologies are introduced in the sections of this course where they are most
applicable. Some general terms, however, are best defined at the outset, as outlined
below (see diagrams on pages 3 – 4). The following terms are closely related:
Mine – an excavation made in the earth to extract minerals
Mining – the activity, occupation, and industry concerned with the extraction of
minerals
Mining engineering – the practice of applying engineering principles to the
development, planning, operation, closure, and reclamation of mines
Some terms distinguish various types of mined minerals. Geologically, one can
distinguish the following mineral categories:
Mineral – a naturally occurring inorganic element or compound having an orderly
internal structure and a characteristic chemical composition, crystal form, and physical
properties
Rock – any naturally formed aggregate of one or more types of mineral particles
Economic differences in the nature of mineral deposits are evident in the
following terms: -

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 Ore – a mineral deposit that has sufficient utility and value to be mined at a profit
Gangue – the valueless mineral particles within an ore deposit that must be
discarded
Waste – the material associated with an ore deposit that must be mined to get to
the ore and must then be discarded. Gangue is a particular type of waste
A further subdivision of the types of minerals mined by humankind is also
common. These terms are often used in the industry to differentiate between the fuels,
metals, and nonmetallic minerals. The following are the most common terms used in
this differentiation:
Metallic ores – those ores of the ferrous metals (iron, manganese, molybdenum,
cobalt and tungsten), the base metals (copper, lead, zinc, and tin), and the radioactive
minerals (uranium, thorium, and radium)
Nonmetallic minerals – (also known as industrial minerals): the nonfuel mineral
ores that are not associated with the production of metals. These include phosphate,
potash, halite, trona, sand, gravel, limestone, Sulphur, and many others
Fossil fuels (also known as mineral fuels): the organic mineral substances that
can be utilized as fuels, such as coal, petroleum, natural gas, coalbed methane,
gilsonite, and tar sands
Other mining terminologies include but not limited to the following: -
Shaft – a vertical or an inclined main permanent opening, excavated at a safe
distance from the influence of underground mining activities, which provides access
from the surface or below surface to an ore body, and through which the mine is
exploited. It also acts as a conduit through which ventilation and other services are
provided to and from the working areas of the mine
Cages – containers used to carry men and materials in and out of the mine
through a shaft
Skips – containers used to transport ore and waste out of the mine through a
shaft
Strike – the direction of a horizontal line in the plane of an inclined bedded or
vein-type mineral deposit
Main levels – a system of horizontal permanent underground workings,
connected to the shaft, the basis of operations for excavation of ore above or below,
usually driven in waste rock and along the strike or parallel to the ore body
Sublevels – a system of horizontal temporary underground workings driven
between main levels, in both waste and ore, to provide access to the stopes or ore body
Stope – an underground tertiary excavation designed to produce ore
Raise – an underground opening driven upwards from one (main or sub) level to
another
Winze – an underground opening driven downwards from one (main or sub) level
to another
Adit – a horizontal entrance to a mine, usually in the side of the mountain
Back – the roof or overhead surface of an underground excavation
Hangingwall – the rock above an ore deposit
Footwall – the rock below the ore deposit
Cone/chamber – a funnel-shaped excavation at the top of a raise or winze
intended to collect rock from an area or stope above

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 Drift/Drive – an underground opening usually driven parallel to the ore body
(along strike)
Crosscut – a horizontal or near horizontal underground opening driven
perpendicular to drives/drifts (usually across the ore body)
Chute – a loading arrangement in a haulage utilizing gravity flow for the transfer
of ore or waste from a stope to cars on a haulage train
Drawpoint – a place where ore can be gathered and removed, usually by
mechanical loaders, located beneath the stoping area (or cone/chamber level) and
using gravity flow for the transfer of ore to it
Grizzley – an arrangement intended to prevent oversize rock from entering an
ore transfer system, usually consisting of I-beams or steel grating;
Manway – an inclined or vertical underground opening (e.g., raise) intended for
communication and personnel access
Ore/waste pass – an inclined or vertical underground opening intended for
transfer of ore or waste
Ramp – an inclined underground opening connecting levels or production areas,
with an inclination allowing for passage of motorized vehicles
Slot – a vertical or inclined underground ore section excavated on one side of the
stope to provide a free face for blasting of the rest of the rounds
Surface mine – a term used to describe the excavation used for mining if it is
entirely open or operated from the surface
Underground mine – a term used to describe the excavation consisting of
openings for human, machinery and materials entry below the earth’s surface
Mining method – describes the details of the procedure, layout, and equipment
used in the mine to produce or mine the ore

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4
1.1.1 Open pit terminology
Persons closely associated with open pit mines have coined terms or phrases for
certain operations or for defining commonly occurring geometric parameters in open pit
mining. The following are terms that commonly occur in open pit mine planning. These
terms are illustrated in the figure below, which shows a pit section through an idealized
tabular ore body.

A bench may be defined as a ledge that forms a single level of operation above
which mineral or waste materials are mined back to a bench face. The mineral or waste
is removed in successive layers, each of which is a bench. Several benches may be in
operation simultaneously in different parts of, and at different elevations in the open pit
mine.
The bench height is the vertical distance between the highest point of the bench,
or the bench crest, and the toe of the bench. The bench height is normally governed by
the specifications of operating machines, such as drills and shovels, and by government
mining regulations.
The bench slope is the angle, measured in degrees, between the horizontal and
a line joining the bench toe and crest (or bench face).
Pit limits (or ultimate pit limits) are the vertical and lateral extent to which the
open pit mining may be economically conducted. The cost of removing overburden or
waste material vs. the minable value of the ore is usually the prime factor controlling the
limits of the pit. Other factors that can influence pit limits are existing surface
infrastructures, such as townships, rivers, etc.
To enhance the stability of a slope within the pit—and for safety reasons—
berms may be left. A berm is a horizontal shelf or ledge within the ultimate pit wall
slope.
The overall (or ultimate) pit slope angle is the angle at which the wall of an open
pit stands, as measured between the horizontal and an imaginary line joining the top
bench crest with the bottom bench toe.
For the duration of open pit mining, a haul road must be maintained into the pit. A
spiral system is an arrangement whereby the haul road is arranged spirally along the

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perimeter walls of the pit so that the gradient of the road is more or less uniform from
the top to the bottom of the pit. A zigzag or switchback system is an arrangement in
which the road surmounts the steep grade of a pit wall by zigzagging, generally on the
footwall side of the pit. The choice of spiral or zigzag is dependent upon the shape and
size of the ore body, truck economics, and pit slope stability. Haul road width is
governed by the required capacity of the road and type of haulage unit.
The grade may be defined as the inclination of the road in terms of degrees from
the horizontal or percentage of rise to the horizontal.
The angle of repose or angle of rest is the maximum slope at which a heap of
loose material will stand without sliding.
The sub outcrop depth represents the depth of waste that must be removed
before any ore is exposed. This waste removal is often referred to as preproduction
stripping.
1.2 UNIT OPERATIONS OF MINING
During the development and exploitation stages of mining when natural materials
are extracted from the earth, remarkably similar unit operations are normally employed.
The unit operations of mining are the basic steps used to produce a mineral from the
deposit, supported by the auxiliary operations. The steps contributing directly to mineral
extraction are production operations, which constitute the production cycle of
operations. The ancillary steps that support the production cycle are termed auxiliary
operations.
The production cycle employs unit operations that are normally grouped into rock
breakage and materials handling. Breakage generally consists of drilling and blasting,
and materials handling encompasses loading or excavation and haulage (horizontal
transport) and sometimes hoisting (vertical or inclined transport). Thus, the basic
production cycle consists of these unit operations:
Production cycle = drill + blast + load + haul
= Rock breakage (drill + blast) + Materials handling (load +
haul)
Although production operations tend to be separate and cyclic in nature, the
trend in modern mining and tunneling is to eliminate or combine functions and to
increase continuity of extraction. For example, in coal and other soft rock mines,
continuous miners break (rip material by force) and load the mineral to eliminate drilling
and blasting; boring machines perform the same tasks in medium-hard rock. The cycle
of operations in surface and underground mining differ primarily by the scale of the
equipment. Specialized machines have evolved to meet the unique needs of the two
regimes.
In modern surface mining, blastholes of 75 to 380 mm in diameter are produced
by rotary or percussion drills for the placement of explosives when consolidated rock
must be removed. The explosives charge is then inserted and detonated to reduce the
overburden or ore to a size range suitable for loading (or excavation). The broken
material is loaded by shovel, dragline, or wheel loader into haulage units – generally
trucks – for transport. Railroad cars are also used for haulage, and belt conveyors are
often used after the material is crushed. Soil and coal are often moved in the same
manner, though blasting is sometimes unnecessary, but simply excavated. In the

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quarrying of dimension stone, the blocks are often freed without blasting, using wire
saws or other mechanical devices.
In underground mining, the production cycle is similar, although the equipment
used may be scaled down in size. Smaller drillholes are used, trucks are sometimes
replaced by shuttle cars, LHDs and belt conveyors are more prevalent. Coal, salt,
potash, and trona are often mined without the use of explosives or mined after
undercutting the face to reduce the consumption of explosives.
In addition to the operations of the production cycle, certain auxiliary operations
must be performed in many cases. Underground, these usually include roof support,
ventilation and air-conditioning, power supply, pumping, maintenance, lighting,
communications, and delivery of compressed air, water, and supplies to the working
sections. In surface mining, the primary auxiliary operations include those providing
slope stability, pumping, power supply, maintenance, waste disposal, dust control and
supply of material to the production centres.
PRINCIPLES OF ROCK BREAKAGE AND FRAGMENTATION

Table of Contents
1. PRINCIPLES OF DRILLING AND ROCK PENETRATION........................................1
1.1. Principles of Rock Breakage................................................................................1
1.2. Rock Penetration Methods...................................................................................2
1.2.1. Drilling............................................................................................................3
1.2.2. Mechanics and Performance Factors of Penetration....................................3
2. PRINCIPLES OF ROCK FRAGMENTATION.............................................................6
2.1. Theory of Explosives............................................................................................6
2.1.1. Nature of Explosives......................................................................................6
2.1.2. Chemical Reactions of Explosives................................................................7
2.1.3. Classification Schemes of Explosives...........................................................8
2.1.4. Ingredients of Explosives...............................................................................8
2.1.5. Blasting Properties of Explosives..................................................................9
2.1.6. Detonation and Initiation Systems of Explosives.........................................10
2.1.7. System comparisons of detonation and initiation elements........................11
2.2. Surface Mine Blasting........................................................................................12
2.2.1. Blasting practices.........................................................................................12
2.2.2. Design of a blasting pattern.........................................................................12

1. PRINCIPLES OF DRILLING AND ROCK PENETRATION

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 1.1. Principles of Rock Breakage
The freeing or detaching of large masses of harder rock from the parent deposit
is termed rock breakage. Several historical events contributed to the success of miners
in their quest to break rock for mining or construction projects. The first advance was
the discovery in prehistoric times that fire burning and water quenching can break rock.
This produced thermal stresses to overcome the cohesive strength of the rock. Later it
was discovered that corundum, tungsten carbide (TC) inserts, black powder, dynamite,
ammonium nitrate and fuel oil (ANFO), and water-based explosives could be used to
break rocks more efficiently.
Mining today has the same objectives it had in ancient times and employs the
same basic elements of the production cycle - rock breakage and materials handling. It
was with the introduction of blasting into the production cycle that mining became much
more efficient in the production of minerals.
In traditional mining practice, two different types of rock breakage operations are
performed. In rock penetration (drilling, boring, or channeling), a directed hole or kerf is
formed, usually mechanically but sometimes hydraulically or thermally, (1) for the
placement of explosives for blasting or to produce a free face for blasting, (2) to produce
a finished mine opening, or (3) to extract a mineral product of desired size and shape
(for example, dimension stone). In contrast, rock fragmentation attempts to break rock
into manageable sizes, normally by chemical energy in blasting or by mechanical,
hydraulic, or other more novel applications of energy.
Although operating on different scales, penetration and fragmentation function by
applying energy through similar mechanisms to break rock. The very rapid application of
energy is critical in producing rock failure in many of these processes. Thus, normally
dynamic loading is applied(in preference to static loading) to accomplish the penetration
or fragmentation. It is ordinarily assumed that the weight,W of the rock broken, using
any given rock breakage method, is proportional to the energy,E consumed in the
process:
W ∝ E … (1)
In drilling and other penetration processes, the rate of advance R, the penetration
per unit time, is more important than the amount of rock broken. Hence, the basic
relationship becomes
dE
R∝ … (2)
dt
wheredE/dt is the time rate of application of the energy to the rock. Because
dE/dt is also the power, P consumed in the process, equation 2 may be written in the
form
R ∝ P … (3)

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 which indicates that – in drilling, cutting, boring, or any other similar process – the
penetration rate is directly proportional to the power applied to the process.

In modeling rock breakage processes, the characteristics and behaviour of rock

must be understood. It is known that rock strength parameters such as compressive,
shear, and tensile strengths, resist failure induced by the applied loads. Because the
strengths decrease in the order stated, it is advantageous to apply the loads to
overcome the smallest strength, tensile and the next smallest strength, shear, before
the rock is broken by compressive loads. However, that is normally not easy to do in
drilling operations, and the rock is often broken by the application of compressive
forces. In an era of increasingly expensive energy, drill designers are paying more
attention to Equations (1) and (3) in order to conserve energy.

1.2. Rock Penetration Methods

Rock penetration methods can be classified on several bases. These include the
size of hole, method of mounting, and type of power.
a) Mechanical attack. The application of mechanical energy to rock masses is the
primary method used in traditional drilling. It utilizes either percussive or rotary
action, or a combination of both, at the bottom of the hole to penetrate the rock
mass. There is a difference in the application of energy between the standard
percussion drill and the rotary-percussion drill. The percussion drill employs a
drill rod rotational system that indexes each percussive blow of the hammer at a
different spot, so as to drill more effectively. However, the rotation does not
involve any significant amount of energy application to the rock. The rotary-
percussion drill uses an independent rotational system that applies a shearing
force to the bottom of the hole by means of rotation. The rotational energy helps
to break additional cuttings from the hole and increases drilling efficiency. (In
surface mines, roller-bit rotary and large percussion or rotary-percussion drills
are in use, with roller-bit rotaries heavily favoured for most applications).
Underground, percussion drills are used for most applications in hard rock and
drag-bit rotaries are used in soft-rock applications.
b) Other methods include thermal attack, fluid attack, novel methods.
1.2.1. Drilling
Most drilling is employed in mining for the placement and efficient use of
explosives. At times, it is used for sampling the mineral deposit during exploration, for
the placement of rock bolts, anchors, and cable reinforcements, and for the placement
of electrical and communications lines, compressed air and both service and potable
water pipes in mines. The predominant use of drilling in coal mines today is for the
placement of roof bolts. When holes are used for the placement of explosives, the
operation is known as production drilling.
Operating components of the system – The drilling system usually consists of
four components that work together to penetrate the rock (Refer to picture below):

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 1. The drill, the mechanical device ( and its carriage, if applicable) that converts
energy from its original source (electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, or combustion
engine) into rotational and/or percussive energy to penetrate the rock
2. The drill rod (also called a steel, stem, string or pipe) that transmits energy from
the drill to the bit
3. The bit, which attacks the rock with rotational and/or percussive action to cause
failure
4. The circulation fluid that cleans the hole, controls dust, cools the bit, and (at
times) stabilizes the hole (In surface mines, compressed air is sometimes used to
clean the hole)
The first three are the physical components of the drilling system, accomplishing
the penetration of the rock, and the fourth enhances the efficiency of the drill by
removing cuttings from the bottom of the hole and cooling it.

1.2.2. Mechanics and Performance Factors of Penetration.

There are only two basic ways to attack a rock mechanically – percussion and
rotation – and all commercial drilling methods utilize percussion or rotation principles or
combinations of them. A graphical depiction of loading geometries of the different
mechanical methods of penetrating rock is shown on page 4.

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 Breaking rock by the penetration of a wedge is the basic mode of action used by
virtually all rock excavation machines. There are only two essential types of mechanical
rock cutting tools, indenters and drag bits. Tools in this latter category often are termed
picks and these terms, drag bits and picks, are used interchangeably. The distinction
between the two types of tools is that an indenter breaks the rock by applying a force
that is, predominantly, in a direction normal to the rock surface (i.e., the percussion drill
attacks the rock through compression). In contrast, the main force applied to a sharp
drag bit to effect rock breakage is in a direction approximately parallel to the rock
surface (i.e., the rotary drill attacks the rock by shearing or applying tension to the rock).
The rotary-percussion drill attacks the rock by utilizing a combination of both or more
methods.
The resistance of rock to penetration by drilling tools is termed its drilling
strength, (an empirical property; it is not equivalent to any of the well-known strength
parameters). The drilling strength and the wear on the bits are extremely important in
the determination of the drilling cost. Other factors that affect drill performance can be
categorized into four groups:
1. Operating variables. These affect the four components of the drilling system (drill,
drill rod, drill bit, and drilling fluid). They are largely controllable and include
factors that affect the tools (drill power, blow energy and frequency, rotary speed,
thrust, and rod design) and drillhole cleaning (fluid properties and flow rate)
2. Drillhole factors. These include hole size, length, and inclination; they are
dictated by outside requirements and thus are largely uncontrollable. Hole
diameters in underground mining range from 40 to 175 mm, (in surface mining
they are typically 150 to 450 mm)
3. Rock factors. These consist of properties of the rock, geological conditions
surrounding the rock, and the state of stress acting on the drillhole. Often
referred to as drillability factors, they determine the strength of the rock and limit
drill performance. Because these factors are a result of the geologic
environment, they are largely uncontrollable
4. Service factors. These variables include labour and supervision, power supply,
job site conditions, weather, and so forth. Except for labour and supervision, they
are independent factors and cannot often be affected by the drill operator

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 Because the operating variables are the most controllable, a complete
knowledge of the interaction of the drilling variables and the drilling efficiency is very
important. Among the most important parameters to consider are drill power, thrust,
torque, rotary speed, blow energy, blows per minute (BPM), and the flow of the hole-
flushing fluid. In addition, it is important to choose the proper bit type and rod
dimensions to provide a good match with the drill.
Drill selection. In selecting the optimal drilling system, it is necessary to evaluate
drill performance. Performance can be measured in a number of ways. The most
commonly measured parameters include the following:
1. Process energy and power consumption; 2. Penetration rate; 3. Bit wear (life)
and 4. Total Cost or Overall Cost (= Ownership Cost+ Operating Cost)
These parameters are all important, but the ultimate measure of performance is
cost. If a drill has an excellent penetration rate but is not cost-effective, then an
alternative system should be sought; since the overall goal of mining is the minimization
of all rock breakage, materials handling, and processing costs. Drilling affects blasting
which in turn affects excavation and processing costs.Thus, it is important to realize that
minimizing overall cost is the primary goal in the choice of the drilling system, and that
some drilling efficiency may have to be sacrificed to enhance blasting, excavation, or
processing efficiencies.
In choosing a drilling system, a general qualitative guide such as that in the table
below may be used. It allows the decision maker to choose systems that are feasible for
the conditions inherent in the drilling situation. In general, the lowest costs are
obtainable in soft rock with rotary drag-bit drilling, in medium and hard rock with rotary
roller-bit and rotary-percussion drilling, and in very hard rock with percussion drilling. It
is therefore wise to keep this in mind in choosing among candidate systems. However, it
is then important to conduct an engineering evaluation of each candidate system and
come up with a performance and cost estimate.
Application of drilling and penetration methods to different types of rocks
Rock Type/Drillability
Drilling method 1 2 3 4
Soft Medium-hard Hard Very hard
(Shale, (Limestone, (Granite, (Taconite,
Weathered Weathered Chert) Quartzite)
Limestone, Sandstone)
Coal)
Hydraulic jet X X
Rotary, drag-bit X X
Rotary, roller-bit X X X
Rotary X X
percussion
Percussion X X X
Thermal jet X X

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 piercing

The general trends in drills are toward greater efficiency, bigger drill rigs, more
hydraulic power, more automation, and increased ability to handle harder rocks as a
result of better technology. The most striking change over the last twenty years has
been the growth of hydraulic power in percussion and rotary-percussion drills. A very
large percentage of all underground percussion drills are now hydraulically powered,
and surface drills are also rapidly changing over. The primary advantages of hydraulic
drills are lower energy consumption, greater drilling speed, lower rod costs, more
flexibility, easier automation, and less noise. The disadvantages are higher capital cost
and increased maintenance costs. For most situations, the advantages far outweigh the
disadvantages.
The rate of advance for rotary drilling is a function of the rate of penetration, bit
diameter, weight on the bit, and rock mass properties, and is well predicted by the
following empirical equation
P=( 214−98 log 10 S c ) WR /(250 D), m/hr

where
P = penetration rate, m/hr; Sc= rock compressive strength, MPa; W = pulldown
weight of drill, t; R = drill rotary speed, rpm; and D = hole diameter, mm

2. PRINCIPLES OF ROCK FRAGMENTATION

Rock fragmentation is the breakage function carried out on a large scale to
fragment masses of rock. In both the mining and construction industries, blasting is the
predominant fragmentation method employed, but other techniques are becoming more
common. However, only blasting using chemical explosives has wide spread use for all
consolidated materials in both surface and underground mining. Excluded are
excavating machines, which, though they may fragment soil and rock, primarily perform
a loading function, and continuous excavating machines, which mainly produce an
opening and are classified as penetration methods.
The obvious question in considering blasting is, “Why should one use explosives
to break rock?” One answer is because of ease of fragmentation (i.e., break the rock to
make it easier to dig, load, haul and crush), and the other is ease of stripping (i.e., move
overburden or waste rock overlaying a seam by explosive means to reduce the
mechanical work required to achieve the same result).
However, no two mining operations are identical and neither are their
fragmentation requirements, where fragmentation refers to the size distribution of the
broken rock within the muckpile. As a result, a vast range of powder factors are used.

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Oversize material is usually avoided by using a higher powder factor (i.e., the explosive
required to break a unit measurement of rock).
A well fragmented rock has to be closely fractured and “jumbled-up” by the
associated movement of a blast, so that it can be easily dug. The movement is
essential, and as this is in progress, bulking occurs as the chunks (or cubes) of rock are
randomly reoriented so that void spaces are developed. The voids between the larger
rock fragments make it easier for the teeth of buckets to penetrate and dig. Rock mass
bulking after blasting can be as high as 50%, whereas soil only bulks by 10%.
The discontinuities in the rock mass, which include bedding, jointing, and
partings are the main items that dictate how a rock fragments. The closeness of the
separation of these, determines the maximum block size in the muckpile. The effect of
blasting is to reduce the size distribution of those preblast blocks. In closely jointed
ground, there will be little change in size distribution after blasting, though the rock mass
may have been “moved”.

2.1. Theory of Explosives

2.1.1. Nature of Explosives

An explosive, or blasting agent, is a compound or a mixture of compounds(made
of mainly C, H2, O2 and N2 atoms), which, when initiated by heat, impact, friction, or
shock, is capable of undergoing a rapid decomposition, releasing tremendous amounts
of energy in the form of heat, gas and shock. The decomposition is a self-propagating,
exothermic reaction called an explosion. The stable end products are gases (mainly
H2O, CO2 and N2) that are compressed, under elevated temperature, to very high
pressures. It is the sudden rise in temperature and pressure from ambient
conditionsthat result in a shock wave, or a detonation, traveling through the unreacted
explosive. The velocity of detonation lies in the approximate range of 1500 to 9000m/s,
well above the speed of sound in the explosive material. Deflagrationis the chemical
burning of explosive ingredients at a rate well below the sonic velocity. It is associated
with heat only and carries no shockwave. Deflagration occurs when less than ideal hole-
loading conditions or explosive formulation are involved. A blasting agent is a chemical
material that can detonate under the right impulse but meets prescribed criteria for
insensitivity to initiation or detonation. Blasting agents typically possess a velocity of
detonation lower than that of a high explosive, which has a supersonic propagation
speed of the reaction. They also require less stringent storage and transportation
standards than do high explosives because they are less hazardous during handling
and transportation. Black powder (also known as gunpowder) is a low explosive.
Detonation may properly be termed an explosion, accompanied by the formation of a
shockwave. Deflagration is very rapid burning, but not an explosion and not associated
with a shockwave.
Explosives break rock as a result of both (1) the impact of the shock wave and
(2) the expanding effect of the high-pressure gases formed during the detonation. The

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proportion of the breakage attributed to these two factors is dependent on the properties
of the explosive and of the rock. Four of the key explosive properties are (1) energy
density, (2) bulk density, (3) rate of energy release, and (4) pressure-time history of the
gases generated. Important rock properties are (1) density and porosity, (2) strength, (3)
energy absorption properties and modulus of elasticity, and (4) rock structure, including
jointing, bedding, fractures, alteration, and so forth.

2.1.2. Chemical Reactions of Explosives.

Explosives consist of oxidizers and fuel mixed together in a proper proportion to
produce the desired violent chemical reaction. Relatively inexpensive oxidizers and
fuels are generally used to produce a cost-efficient mixture. Most ingredients used
consist of the elements oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and carbon, plus certain metallic
elements (aluminum, magnesium, sodium, calcium, etc.). The primary criterion or
optimum condition of efficient energy release is the oxygen balance or stoichiometric
ratio/mixture. Zero oxygen balance is the point at which an explosive has sufficient
oxygen to completely oxidize all the contained fuels but no excess oxygen to react with
the contained nitrogen.
There are two reasons for the careful balancing of the oxygen-fuel mixture: (1)
The energy output is optimized, and (2) the formation of toxic chemical gases such as
oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, methane, and others is minimized. An equation
can be written for the oxygen balance in an explosive reaction if the starting and ending
products are known. For example, if only oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon are involved,
and the reaction forms oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water, the proper equation is

OB = original oxygen content – oxygen formed into carbon dioxide – oxygen

formed into
Water…..(4)

This is normally written in the following form:

OB = Oo – 2Co – 0.5Ho … (5)

where OB represents the oxygen balance (g-atoms/kg) and O o, Co, and Ho represent the
number (of g-atoms/kg) of the oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen, respectively, in the
original explosive mixture. Note that the coefficients of C o and Ho in Eq. (5) represent the
number of atoms of oxygen required to satisfy one atom of carbon or hydrogen in the
reaction. The equation becomes slightly more complicated if metals are present in the
original mixture. For example, assume that some aluminum, calcium, and sodium are

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present in the explosive, and that they form Al 2O3, CaO, and Na2O during the reaction.
Then the oxygen balance equation becomes
OB = Oo – 2Co – 0.5Ho – 0.667Alo – Cao – 0.5Nao … (6)
The energy released during the reaction is obtained by calculating the difference
in the heats of formation of the ingredients and the products. The consequences of
departing from zero oxygen balance can be illustrated by the evaluation of three
different ammonium nitrate (AN) – fuel oil (FO) mixtures (ANFO). In these idealized
equations, fuel oil is represented approximately by the formula CH 2, and the energy
release is expressed in kcal/kg.
1. 94.5% AN plus 5.5% FO (oxygen-balanced)
3NH4NO3 + CH2 7H2O + CO2 + 3N2 + 930 kcal/kg
2. 92.0% AN plus 8.0% FO (fuel excess)
2NH4NO3 + CH25H2O +CO + 2N2 + 810 kcal/kg
3. 96.6% AN plus 3.4% FO (fuel shortage)
5NH4NO3 + CH2 11H2O + CO2 +4N2 + 2NO + 600 kcal/kg
Note that the optimal percentage of fuel oil is 5.7%.

2.1.3. Classification Schemes of Explosives

Several methods of classifying explosives are commonly used. First, government
agencies have designated classes for various explosive mixtures. Explosives are also
often categorized in a more general manner as low explosives, high explosives, and
blasting agents. The government normally publishes a list of explosives with the
appropriate characteristics.
To define the different classifications used by regulatory authorities or agencies,
an understanding of the distinction between detonation and deflagration is required.
Detonation occurs when the rate of reaction in the explosive product exceeds the speed
of sound (sonic velocity) in the product, thus creating a shockwave. Deflagration is a
process where the reaction occurs at rates much lower than the sonic velocity of the
explosive material, so that no shock (primary pressure wave) is produced within the
explosive material.
Regulatory authorities classify explosives into the three groups shown below.
Classification Definition
High Explosive materials that can be caused to detonate by means of a
explosives blasting cap (No. 8 Blasting Cap) when unconfined (e.g., dynamite)
Low Explosive materials that can be caused to deflagrate when confined
explosives (e.g., black powder, safety fuses, igniter cords, fuse lighters, and
“display fireworks”)
Blasting Materials that can be detonated but are not a detonator (e.g., ANFO
agents and certain water gels). They have low sensitivity (not detonator
sensitive) and can’t be detonated by a No. 8 Blasting Cap

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 2.1.4. Ingredients of Explosives
The principle components of an explosive are fuels and oxidizers. The most
common fuels used are fuel oil (diesel), carbon, aluminum, and trinitrotoluene (TNT).
Oxidizers include ammonium nitrate (AN), sodium nitrate, and calcium carbonate. Most
commercial explosives today use AN as the base and the primary oxidizer. Other
chemical substances may be added to affect the strength, sensitivity, water resistance,
stability, or other important parameters of the explosive. These include sensitizers
(nitroglycerine, TNT, nitrostarch, aluminum, etc.), energizers (aluminum or other metal
powders), and miscellaneous agents (water, thickeners, gelatinizers, emulsifiers,
stabilizers, flame retarders, dyes, etc.).
The development of slurry explosives has had a great effect on the content and
properties of commercial explosives. These allow the creation of water gels (solid
particles of chemicals permanently suspended in a liquid, water) and emulsions (water
dispersed permanently through a solid chemical mass) for blasting purposes. Slurries
are among the most common types of explosives used worldwide. They can be
formulated in a variety of strengths and have much more water resistance than ANFO.
The use of dynamite has nearly disappeared from the scene as most
manufacturers have switched from nitroglycerine to AN as their primary base for
commercial explosives. Mining applications utilize about 90% of all explosives
manufactured.

2.1.5. Blasting Properties of Explosives

Explosives are characterized by various properties that determine how they will
function in blasting under field conditions. Although these are not necessarily the
fundamental properties that govern the behavior of explosives, they represent the
practical aspects of an explosive that govern its ability to perform under various
conditions. The following are the most important:
1. Velocity of detonation is the speed at which a detonation wave travels through a
column of the explosive. Commercial explosives have a velocity of detonation of
1,500 to 9,000 m/s, with the higher velocities associated with greater energy
release and the ability to shatter hard rock. High-velocity explosives have the
ability to shatter rock, but the extra energy they provide is wasted on soft, plastic,
or fractured rock.
2. Detonation pressure is normally measured in kilobar units and represents the
pressure exerted as the detonation wave travels through a cross-section area of
the charge. High detonation pressures are required in boosters used to initiate
blasting agents.
3. Borehole (explosion) pressure is thepressure resulting from the explosion. The
borehole pressure is normally in the 1 to 6 MPa range. Borehole pressure is a
good measure of the ability of an explosive to displace rock.
4. Density is normally expressed as the specific weight of the explosive. It is an
important property in many granular explosives because the strength and density
are positively correlated.

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 5. Energy output or strength provides a measure of the total energy released by the
explosive during its reaction. The relative weight strength (RWS) and relative
bulk strength (RBS) are often used to express the energy content. RWS is
defined as the percentage of the energy available as compared with that in an
equal weight of standard ANFO, and RBS is the percentage of the energy
available as compared with an equal volume of standard ANFO at a given
density.
6. Cap sensitivity is a measure of the ease of initiation of an explosive when
subjected to a shock wave from a detonator. Blasting agents have very low cap
sensitivity and are relatively safe to handle, whereas most high explosives have a
high sensitivity and can be detonated with a small initiator.
7. Gap sensitivity (also called sensitiveness) is the ability of one explosive charge to
detonate another with an air gap between the two. Gap sensitivity must be
controlled in industrial explosives so that one borehole’s charge does not
detonate another charge prematurely.
8. Water resistance is the ability to withstand exposure to water without losing
sensitivity or efficiency. Water resistance is minimal in ANFO, higher in slurries,
and maximum in some of the high explosives like dynamite.
9. Fume class represents a measure of the amount of toxic fumes produced by the
blast.
2.1.6. Detonation and Initiation Systems of Explosives
To properly trigger a blast, whether underground or on the surface, specially
manufactured initiation components provide safety and optimally control the explosive
action. A variety of initiation systems, both traditional and modern, are in use.
Alfred Nobel’s original design for a detonator utilized mercury fulminate, a
primary explosive, for successive and repeated detonation of dynamite. Most modern
detonators employ primary explosives as the initiation for the base charge (a secondary
explosive). There are three types of initiation systems: electric, nonelectric and
electronic. Shock-tube initiation systems gained progressively more market share due
mostly to their immunity to accidental initiation caused by two-way radio transmission
and stray current sources. With mining operations using radio dispatch systems for
loading and hauling cycles, the need to turn off two-way radios in the presence of
electric initiation systems was not acceptable.
Electric systems: The electric detonator, see sketch below, is initiated when a
small amount of electric current is introduced to a bridge wire within the detonator shell
via two leg or lead wires. This bridge wire (based on the potentiometer principle) heats
up and ignites a pyrotechnic match head or bridge wire imbedded into the pyrotechnic
compound. The match head ignites the delay element, which is manufactured to burn
for a specific amount of time prior to reaching the primer charge consisting of a primary
explosive such as lead azide or mercury fulminate and a base charge or secondary
explosive such as pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN)

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 Nonelectric systems: The shock-tube type detonator is now the most common
form of nonelectric initiation system. Nonelectric shock-tube detonators are responsible
for the demise of electric detonators as the preferred initiation system.
Electronic systems: Electronic detonators utilize microchip technology to
provide delays for blast designs. Most electronic detonators consist of wires, a
detonator shell that looks similar to electric and nonelectric detonators, a microchip,
capacitors and a primer charge/base charge similar to electric and nonelectric
detonators. These detonators communicate with a logger/machine, and individual
detonators can be checked prior to firing. At firing time, the logger or blasting machine
sends out a code to initiate the electronic timing devices within the detonators. When
the detonators reach their programmed time, the electronics within them transfer the
remaining current to the fuse head after which the process is similar to an electric
detonator. The difference between electric and electronic detonators is the replacement
of the pyrotechnic-delay element with a microchip. This allows for much greater
accuracy in firing times.

2.1.7. System comparisons of detonation and initiation elements

All major detonator manufacturers have specified series of delay timings that
they produce. There are mainly two groups – millisecond (MS) series and long-period
(LP) delay series. The MS series consists of 20 to 40 delay detonators having a
separation of 25 ms between each successive delay periods. The LP series consists of

19
usually 20 delay detonators, having a separation of 200 ms – 400 ms between each
successive delay period.
Programmable electronic detonators provide the most flexibility in delay designs.
Most systems allow for a large number of detonators to be programmed in a circuit to
fire at any time between zero and 10 to 20 seconds. Their accuracy is between ± 1% as
compared to conventional pyrotechnic detonators both electric and nonelectric which
are only accurate to within ± 5%. The downside of electronic detonators is their higher
cost per unit. However, in some cases, better blasting results, and better overall
processing costs, outweigh the initial cost.
To understand the systems, one must recognize that three major elements are
required. These elements and the options for supplying them are outlined below and
illustrated in the diagram on page 12.
1. Initial energy source (to initiate the reaction)
(a) Match and igniter cord (to initiate blasting fuse); (b) Blasting cap (to initiate
detonating or low-energy cord); (c) Electric current source (to power an
electrical blasting circuit); (d) Low-energy firing cap (to initiate a shock tube
reaction)
2. Distribution network (for distributing energy to the various blastholes)
(a) Blasting fuse (an old component no longer in common use); (b) Electric circuit
(to carry current to electrical blasting caps); (c) Detonating cord (a cord
containing 3.19 to 12.76 g/m of high explosive); (d) Low-energy detonating
cord (a cord containing 0.51 to 1.28 g/m of high explosive)
3. Detonator (the device that causes the detonation in each blasthole)
(a) Blasting cap (fuse or electric variety); (b) Cartridge explosive; (c) Booster
(also called primer) that detonates a blasting agent

Blasting fuse is no longer in common use. Electrical circuits and detonating cord
are utilized more often because of the relative safety. In choosing initiations systems,
safety should be the prime concern, and cost, noise, and ease of hookup the secondary
variables.

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2.2. Surface Mine Blasting
Surface blasting is a unique topic that deserves its own coverage. Common blasting
practices and the design of blasting patterns in surface mining are explored
2.2.1. Blasting practices
Since the advent of ammonium-nitrate-based explosives and blasting agents and the
demise of nitroglycerine-based high explosives in mining, blasting practices have been
standardized substantially in surface mining. Moreover, the provision of several free
faces with the existence of benches in virtually all methods of surface mining further
narrows the practice of surface mine blasting. The major elements of surface blasting
practice consist of the following: -
1. Inclination of the borehole: Generally vertical; may be inclined to improve efficiency
2. Subdrilling: Depth of hole extends below the intended floor (provided to ensure
complete breakage to floor; increases in back rows of holes)
3. Rows of holes: Usually multiple (two, three, or more)
4. Hole pattern: Square, rectangular, or triangular
5. Explosives: ANFO (bulk or packaged); AN slurry or gel
6. Hole loading: Performed by machine (bulk) or hand (packaged explosives);
explosives confined by stemming devices or drill cuttings; may deck explosives
(load in layers with inert material between layers) to better distribute explosive
energy
7. Hole detonation: Double line of detonating cord is used to set off primers in each
hole; cord detonated by blasting caps fired electrically; millisecond delays provide
delays between holes and rows to improve fragmentation, reduce noise, and
minimize seismic effects (ground vibrations)
8. Secondary breakage: Additional breakage required for boulders performed by
mudcapping, blockholing, dropballing, or hydraulic impact hammer

2.2.2. Design of a blasting pattern

The design of blasting patterns in surface mining is based on theoretical concepts but is
modified by experience and empirical considerations. Two important factors are often
considered to evaluate the drilling and blasting operations. The first is called the drilling
factor, the length of hole drilled per tonne of material blasted. The second is the powder
factor, the weight of explosives per tonne of material blasted. These two factors have a
wide range of values, depending on the strength of the material to be blasted and the
number of planes of weakness distributed through the rock. The drilling factor in surface
mines ranges from 6.7 to 13.4 mm/tonne and the powder factor varies from 0.03 to
0.5 kg/tonne. In any mining situation, a mining operation will seek means of reducing
these two factors to the lowest possible values consistent with good blasting results.
Several aspects of the drilling patterns used in surface mines are shown in figure on
page 14. Note in figure (a) that two primers are used to ensure proper detonation. In
figure (b), a plan view of a triangular pattern of holes is shown for a surface mine blast
21
with two free faces. The distance between rows is known as the burden, which is shown
as 6.4 to 7.3 m in the figure. The distance between individual holes in any row is known
as the spacing. The spacing in the triangular system of holes is 7.9 to 8.5 m. In figure
(c), a square pattern of holes is shown with the burden (3.0 m) equal to the spacing.
In setting up the basic design of a blast in an open pit mine, the following parameters
must be determined:
1. Bank height and slope: Based on excavator and slope stability considerations
2. Hole diameter: 150 to 460 mm
3. Hole angle: Normally vertical; can be sloped at up to 30゜from the vertical;
horizontal holes not normally used
4. Hole depth: Bank height plus subdrilling length; subdrilling length is commonly 0.2
to 0.5 times the burden
5. Burden: Perpendicular distance from the nearest free face to the centre of the
charge in m; generally, ranges from 4.6 to 9.1 m in surface mines
6. Explosives loading density: Weight of explosives per length of drillhole in kg/m
7. Height of charge in drillhole: Usually continuous but will stem the upper part of the
hole, determined in m
8. Weight of charge per drillhole: In kilograms (kg)
9. Hole spacing: Distance between the holes in a row; generally, ranges from 4.6 to
9.1 m in surface mines
10. Number of holes required: Depends on the area to be blasted
11. Weight of rock (ore, coal) broken: In tonnes (t)
12. Drilling factor: Length of drillhole per unit weight of rock broken, in m/tonne
13. Powder factor: Weight of explosives per unit weight of rock broken, in kg/tonne

Theoretical considerations are important in the general application of explosives to the

breakage of rock. The determination of most of the parameters mentioned above will be
done by empirical methods, that is, by experimenting with them in the mine and
determining the best set of parameters for the given geology and material
characteristics.

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 Hole loading and blasting patterns in surface bench mining. (a) Cross section through
drillhole showing loading and charging of explosives. (b) Plan view of diagonal blasthole
pattern; breaking to two vertical free faces with millisecond delays. (c) Plan view of
echelon blasthole pattern; breaking to single vertical free face with millisecond delays
Example
Provide the design parameters for the surface mine blast shown below, given the
following data –
Copper ore specific weight, w – 2.4 tonnes/m3
Bank length, L – 61 m
Explosive type – AN slurry

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Loading density, r – 104 kg/m
Powder factor, PF – 0.25 kg/tonne
Height of charge in hole, k – 11 m
Hole diameter, d – 305 mm

Solution:
Bank area, A = bh = 12.2 m x 15.2 m = 186 m2
Bank volume, V = LA = 60.96 m x186 m2 = 11,326.74 m3
Bank weight, W = wV = 2.4 tonnes/m3 x 11,326.74 m3 = 27,184.17 tonnes
Weight of charge per drillhole, c = rk = 104 kg/m x 11 m = 1,144 kg
Weight of rock broken per drillhole, m = c/PF = 1,144 kg/0.25 kg/tonne = 4,576 tonnes
Number of holes needed, n = W/m = 27,184.17 tonnes/4,576 tonnes = 5.94 holes, say,
6 holes
Hole spacing, s = L/n = 61 m/6 holes = 10 m

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