Optimized blasting design for large-scale quarrying based on a 3-D spatial distribution of rock factor

Abstract

Rock fragmentation plays a critical role in large-scale quarrying operations because of its direct effects on the costs of drilling, blasting, secondary blasting and crushing. In this aspect, it is essential to consider rock fragmentation in blasting design. The optimum blasting pattern to excavate a quarry efficiently and economically can be determined based on the minimum production cost which is generally estimated according to rock fragmentation. By comparing various prediction models, it can be ascertained that the results obtained from the Kuz–Ram model relatively coincide with the results from field measurements. This model uses the rock factor to signify conditions of rock mass such as block size, rock jointing, strength, and others. The rock factor is estimated from geologic data such as block size of rock mass, rock jointing, strength, and others, and its 3-D spatial distribution was predicted by a sequential indicator simulation (SIS) technique. The entire quarry in question was classified into three types of rock mass and an optimum blasting pattern was proposed for each type based on the 3-D spatial distribution of the rock factor. It can, therefore, be concluded that it is possible to design a blasting pattern to achieve a minimum production cost in large-scale quarrying operations by predicting rock fragmentation based on the 3-D spatial distribution of the rock factor.