Abstract
Abstract Blastability indicates strength characteristics of rocks and the ease with which the rocks can be broken. The drilling rate (drillability) of a rock mass is largely determined by mechanical and geological parameters. One of the cardinal objectives of drilling in mining is to drill the blast hole at the possible fastest penetration rate. The resistance of rock to penetration dictates the type of drilling machines required. Therefore, predicting the drilling rate from strength characteristics of rocks is essential for selection of appropriate drilling machine. This study relates the drilling rate of rocks to blasting coefficient. Rock samples from six selected quarries were analyzed. Point load tests were carried out on the rock samples using standard procedures. Uniaxial compressive strength, tensile strength and drilling rates of the rocks were evaluated to determine the correlation between rock drillability (m3/hr) and blastability (blasting coefficient). Result of the analysis shows that Dangote Cement Industries has the highest blasting coefficient of 18.67 and highest drilling rate of 0.8470 m3/hr which favours higher production rate within the smallest possible time. Also, the study shows that the drilling rate of rocks can be correlated with the blasting coefficient as a polynomial function. The drilling rates varies with drill parameters, bit diameter and strength values of rocks. All the rocks tested are of extremely high strength to very high strength values.
Published Version
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