Mining of Mineral Deposits

ISSN 2415-3443 (Online)

ISSN 2415-3435 (Print)

Flag Counter

Blasting efficiency in granite aggregate quarry based on the combined effects of fragmentation and weighted environmental hazards

Shaib Abdulazeez Shehu1,2, Kudirat Oziohu Yusuf3, Hareyani Zabidi1, Onimisi A. Jimoh1, M.H.M. Hashim1

1Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia

2Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Nigeria

3Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Nigeria


Min. miner. depos. 2023, 17(1):120-128


https://doi.org/10.33271/mining17.01.120

Full text (PDF)


      ABSTRACT

      Purpose. Mine and quarry operators determine blasting efficiency by the sizes of fragments, while regulatory agencies evaluate the same from the level of environmental discomfort. Thus, a conflict of interest exists. This research distinguishes fragmentation efficiency from blasting efficiency. It proposes a new approach for evaluating blasting efficiency to break the conflict of interests between the quarry operators and the regulatory agencies.

      Methods. Five blasting events in the FYS granite aggregate quarry have been studied, and design parameters have been obtained. As an indicator of blast-induced environmental discomfort, vibrations and air blasts are measured using a seismograph. The WipFrag desktop and Kuz-Ram model are used to assess the resulting fragmentations. Blasting efficiency is evaluated as a function of fragmentation and environmental constraints.

      Findings. The powder factor affects the fragment size distribution and the environmental hazards of blasting but in a conflicting manner. Increased powder factor enhances good fragmentation but results in further environmental discomfort. Blast event 4 has the highest fragmentation efficiency of 46.53%, while 3 has the highest environmental control efficiency of 69.47%. Cumulatively, blast event 4 has the highest overall blasting efficiency of 45.43%. Future research is expected to standardise this novel approach and incorporate more blasting effects.

      Originality. This work is the first attempt to quantify the efficiency of blasting operations in the aggregate quarry by combining the fragmentation produced and the resulting environmental hazards in a single model.

      Practical implications. The model proposed in this research can be adopted by quarry operators and regulatory agencies for sustainable quarrying and mining to address identified conflicts of interest between them.

      Keywords: blasting efficiency, fragmentation efficiency, peak particle velocity, air blast, powder factor


      REFERENCES

  1. Shehu, S.A., & Hashim, M.H.M. (2021). Evaluation of blast efficiency in aggregate quarries: Facts and fictions. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, (14), 502. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-06526-4
  2. Afeni, T.B., & Okeleye, E.O. (2020). Microsoft paint imaging system – a photogrammetric approach to fragmentation measurement in rock and aggregate production. Mining of Mineral Deposits, 14(3), 15-20. https://doi.org/10.33271/mining14.03.015
  3. Dehghani, H., Babanouri, N., Alimohammadnia, F., & Kalhori, M. (2020). Blast-induced rock fragmentation in wet holes. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration, 37(2), 743-752. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-019-00163-y
  4. Voulgarakis, A.G., Michalakopoulos, T.N., & Panagiotou, G.N. (2016). The minimum response time in rock blasting: A dimensional analysis of full-scale experimental data. Mining Technology, 125(4), 242-248. https://doi.org/10.1080/14749009.2016.1175163
  5. Wyllie, D.C., & Mah, C.W. (2017). Rock slope engineering: Civil and mining. London, United Kingdom: CRC Press, 456 p. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781315274980
  6. Oriard, L.L. (2002). Explosives engineering, construction vibrations and geotechnology. Cleveland, United States: International Society of Explosives Engineers, 680 p.
  7. Persson, P.A., Holmberg, R., & Lee, J. (1993). Rock blasting and explosives engineering. Boca Raton, United States: CRC Press, 560 p.
  8. Hagan, T.N. (1992). Safe and cost-efficient drilling and blasting for tunnels, caverns, shafts and raises in India. Workshop on Blasting Technology for Civil Engineering Projects, 16-18.
  9. Konya, C.J., & Walter, E.J. (1991). Rock blasting and overbreak control. Washington, United States: USA National Highway Institute, Department of Transportation, 434 p.
  10. Spathis, A.T. (1999). On the energy efficiency of blasting. 4th International Symposium on Rock Fragmentation by Blasting, 81-90.
  11. Fogelson, D.E., Duvall, W.I., & Aitchison, T.C. (1959). Strain energy in explosion-generated strain pulses. Washington, United States: Department of Interior, Bureau of Mine. Report of Investigation 5514.
  12. Sanchidrián, J.A., Segarra, P., & López, L.M. (2018). Energy efficiency in rock blasting, in energy efficiency in the minerals industry: Best practices and research directions. Energy Efficiency in Rock Blasting, 87-118. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-54199-0_6
  13. Kiani, M., Hosseini, S.H., Taji, M., & Gholineja, M. (2019). Risk assessment of blasting operations in open pit mines using FAHP method. Mining of Mineral Deposits, 13(3), 76-86. https://doi.org/10.33271/mining13.03.076
  14. Dhekne, P.Y. (2015). Environmental impacts of rock blasting and their mitigation. International Journal of Chemical, Environmental and Biological Sciences, 3(1), 46-50.
  15. Idowu, K.A., Olaleye, B.M., & Saliu, M.A. (2021). Analysis of blasted rocks fragmentation using digital image processing (Case study: Limestone quarry of Obajana Cement Company). Mining of Mineral Deposits, 15(4), 34-42. https://doi.org/10.33271/mining15.04.034
  16. Singh, B.K., Mondal, D., Shahid, M., Saxena, A., & Roy, P.N.S. (2019). Application of digital image analysis for monitoring the behaviour of factors that control the rock fragmentation in opencast bench blasting: A case study conducted over four opencast coal mines of the Talcher Coalfields, India. Journal of Sustainable Mining, 18(4), 247-256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsm.2019.08.003
  17. Choudhary, B.S. (2019). Effect of blast induced rock fragmentation and muckpile angle on excavator performance in surface mines. Mining of Mineral Deposits, 13(3), 119-126. https://doi.org/10.33271/mining13.03.119
  18. Sastry, V.R., & Chandar, K.R. (2013). Assessment of objective-based blast performance: Ranking system. FRAGBLAST 10 Workshop on Measurement of Blast Fragmentation, 99-106. https://doi.org/10.1201/b13761-1510.1201/b13761-15
  19. Amiel, A. (2008). Blast fragmentation optimisation at Tarkwa Gold Mine using 6 Sigma methodologies. Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 108(11), 669-681. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/225/1/012191
  20. Choudhary, B.S., & Sonu, K. (2013). Assessment of powder factor in surface bench blasting using Schmidt rebound number of rock mass. International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology, 02(12), 132-138. https://doi.org/10.15623/ijret.2013.0212023
  21. Roy, M.P., Paswan, R.K., Sarim, M.D., Kumar, S., Jha, R.R., & Singh, P.K. (2016). Rock fragmentation by blasting – A review. Journal of Mines, Metals & Fuels, 64(9), 424-431.
  22. Segarra, P., Sanchidrián, J.A., Navarro, J., & Castedo, R. (2018). The fragmentation energy-fan model in quarry blasts. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 51(7), 2175-2190. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-018-1470-9
  23. AL-Ramanathan, K., & Abdullah, R.A. (2019). Effects of quarry blasting towards the residential area at Kangkar Pulai, Johor, Malaysia. Sains Malaysiana, 48(8), 1583-1592. https://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2019-4808-03
  24. Marto, A., Hajihassani, M., Armaghani, D.J., Mohamad, E.T., & Makhtar, A.M. (2014). A novel approach for blast-induced flyrock prediction based on imperialist competitive algorithm and artificial neural network. Scientific World Journal, 643715. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/643715
  25. Agrawal, H., & Mishra, A.K. (2020). An analytical approach to measure the probable overlapping of holes due to scattering in initiation system and its effect on blast-induced ground vibration in surface mines. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration, (38), 485-495 https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-020-00350-2
  26. Hasanipanah, M., Monjezi, M., Shahnazar, A., Armaghani, D.J., & Farazmand, A. (2015). Feasibility of indirect determination of blast induced ground vibration based on support vector machine. Measurement, (75), 289-297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2015.07.019
  27. Nateghi, R. (2012). Evaluation of blast-induced ground vibration for minimising negative effects on surrounding structures. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, (43), 133-138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soildyn.2012.07.009
  28. Singh, T.N., Dontha, L.K., & Bhardwaj, V. (2008). Study into blast vibration and frequency using ANFIS and MVRA. Mining Technology, 117(3), 116-121. https://doi.org/10.1179/037178409X405741
  29. Ambraseys, N.R., & Hendron, A.J. (1968). Dynamic behaviour of rock masses. Rock Mechanics in Engineering Practice, 203-207.
  30. Dowding, C.H. (1985). Blast vibration monitoring and control. New Jersey, United States: Prentice Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, 297 p.
  31. Rana, A., Bhagat, N.K., Jadaun, G.P., Rukhaiyar, S., Pain, A., & Singh, P.K. (2020). Predicting blast-induced ground vibrations in some indian tunnels: A comparison of decision tree, artificial neural network and multivariate regression methods. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration, 37(4), 1039-1053. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-020-00205-w
  32. Maerz, N.H., Palangio, T.C., & Franklin, J.A. (1996). WipFrag image based granulometry system. FRAGBLAST 5 Workshop on Measurement of Blast Fragmentation, 91-99. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780203747919-15
  33. Kuznetsov, V.M. (1973). The mean diameter of the fragments formed by blasting rock. Soviet Mining Science, 9(2), 144-148. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02506177
  34. Jimeno, C.L., Jimeno, E.L., & Carcedo, F.J.A. (1995). Drilling and blasting of rocks. Rotterdam, Netherlands: A Balkema Publishers, 408 p. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781315141435
  35. Nobel, D. (2010). Blasting and explosives quick reference guide. Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.
  36. Alcudia, A.D., Stewart, R.R., Eliuk, N., & Espersen, R. (2007). Vibration and air pressure monitoring of seismic sources. Geophysica, (19), 1-14.
  37. Sharp, M.K., & Yule, D.E. (1998). Ground motion and air overpressure study. Shock and Vibration, 5(3), 159-170. https://doi.org/10.1155/1998/869376
  38. Dowding, C.H. (1992). Suggested method for blast vibration monitoring. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences & Geomechanics Abstracts, 29(2), 145-156. https://doi.org/10.1016/0148-9062(92)92124-U
  39. Maerz, N.H. (1996). Reconstructing 3-D block size distributions from 2-D measurements on sections. FRAGBLAST 5 Workshop on Measurement of Blast Fragmentation, 39-43. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780203747919-7
  40. Wimmer, M., & Ouchterlony, F. (2009). 2D image analysis using WipFrag software compared with actual sieving data of Kiruna magnetite loaded from a draw point. Lulea, Sweden: Swebrec, 56 p.
  41. Sampling and analysis guide. (2013). Ontario, Canada: Wipware Inc, 39 p. Available at: http://www.wipware.com/wipfrag.php
  42. Himanshu, V.K., Roy, M.P., Shankar, R., Mishra, A.K., & Singh, P.K. (2021). Empirical approach based estimation of charge factor and dimensional parameters in underground blasting. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration, (38), 1059-1069. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-020-00374-8
  43. Cunningham, C.V.B. (1983). The Kuz-Ram model for prediction of fragmentation from blasting. First International Symposium on Rock Fragmentation, 439-454.
  44. Cunningham, C.V.B. (1987). Fragmentation estimations and the Kuz-Ram model – four years on. 2nd International Symposium on Rock Fragmentation by Blasting, 475-487.
  45. Tosun, A., Konak, G., Toprak, T., Karakus, D., & Onur, A.H. (2014). Development of the Kuz-Ram model to blasting in a limestone quarry. Archives of Mining Sciences, 59(2), 477-488. https://doi.org/10.2478/amsc-2014-0034
  46. Cunningham, C.V.B. (2005). The Kuz-Ram fragmentation model – 20 years on. Brighton Conference Proceedings, (4), 201-210.
  47. Gheibie, S., Aghababaei, H. Hoseinie, S.H.H., & Pourrahimian, Y. (2009). Modified Kuz-Ram fragmentation model and its use at the Sungun copper mine. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 46(6), 967-973. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2009.05.003
  48. Lilly, P.A. (1986). Empirical method of assessing rock mass blastability. Large Open Pit Mining Conference, 89-92.
  49. Shehu, S.A., Yusuf, K.O., & Hashim, M.H.M. (2022). Comparative study of WipFrag image analysis and Kuz-Ram empirical model in granite aggregate quarry and their application for blast fragmentation rating. Geomechanics and Geoengineering, 17(1), 197-205. https://doi.org/10.1080/17486025.2020.1720830
  50. Nguyen, H., Bui, X.N., Tran, Q.H., & Mai, N.L. (2019). A new soft computing model for estimating and controlling blast-produced ground vibration based on Hierarchical K-means clustering and Cubist algorithms. Applied Soft Computing, (77), 376-386. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asoc.2019.01.042
  51. Abolghasemifar, A., Ataei, M., Torabi, S.R., & Nikkhah, M. (2018). Studying peak particle velocity due to blast in development tunnels’ face in coal stoping. International Journal of Mining and Geo-Engineering, 52(1), 69-74. https://doi.org/10.22059/ijmge.2017.241867.594698
  52. Akbari, M., Lashkaripour, G., Bafghi, A.Y., & Ghafoori, M. (2015). Blastability evaluation for rock mass fragmentation in Iran central iron ore mines. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, 25(1), 59-66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmst.2014.11.008

    53. Лицензия Creative Commons

Copyright © 2023 Dnipro University of Technology

Underground Mining Department

All Rights Reserved.

Journal homepage Authors