Influence of Stiffness Ratio and Powder Factor on Burden Rock Movement in Blasting Operations: A Case Study on Limestone Mines

Abstract

In opencast mining, blasting is a critical operation that significantly impacts the efficiency and costeffectiveness of material removal. This study focuses on optimizing the use of explosive energy to move the burden, thereby reducing reliance on mechanical methods. Effective blast design involves strategically utilizing energy within a blast hole, considering factors such as explosive type, quantity, detonation timing and blast hole geometry. Given the rapid nature of blasting, high-speed video cameras are employed to capture the blast progression on a millisecond scale, providing essential data for analyzing blast dynamics. This research evaluates the influence of blast design parameters, specifically the stiffness ratio (the ratio of bench height to the burden) and powder factor (the amount of explosive per unit volume of rock), on the movement of burden rock in a limestone mine. By examining these parameters, the study aims to optimize blast designs to achieve improved fragmentation, reduced fly rock and minimized ground vibrations, ultimately enhancing the efficiency and cost effectiveness of mining operations. © 2025, World Researchers Associations. All rights reserved.