Abstract
In the mining industry, rock mass characterization is necessary for both short term and long term production planning, but it is a challenge to get detailed information on the geo-mechanical properties of rock mass. Measurement While Drilling (MWD) is a well-established technique to retrieve data on the mechanical response of the rock mass in penetrated horizons. With this data the mining process could be improved regarding drilling cycle time, blast design, loading, hauling, crushing energy and grinding energy for present and underlying benches. This paper presents an attempt to characterize the rock mass in Boliden Minerals Aitik Mine, the largest open pit copper mine of Europe, located in the Northern part of Sweden. Penetration rate and specific energy are used to describe how subsequent benches (upper and lower) are inter-related. The behavior of Specific Energy and Penetration Rate is further evaluated and analyzed.
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