Evaluating Blast Fragmentation: A Comparative Study of Electronic and Shock-Tube Initiation Systems in a Limestone Mine

Abstract

Explosive energy is the most widely used method for fragmenting rock masses and mineral deposits in mining operations. The fragmentation achieved during blasting significantly impacts downstream operations including loading, transportation, crushing and processing costs. Among the various factors affecting blast fragmentation, the initiation system plays a crucial role. A study was carried out to compare the performance of electronic detonators with shock-tube detonators, in terms of fragmentation in a limestone mine. Field experiments were conducted to assess the fragment size using digital image analysis technique (DIAT). The results indicated that electronic initiated blasts produced finer average fragment sizes (k<inf>50</inf>) ranging from 0.31-0.44 m, while as in non-electric shock-tube (NeSt) initiated blasts produced larger fragmentation with k<inf>50</inf> values between 0.39-0.51 m. The analysis revealed that average k<inf>50</inf> values of blasts initiated with electronic detonator were 20% less than that of non-electric shock tube (NeSt) initiated blasts. This is primarily due to precise delays planned and executed for the rock mass that aid in proper fragmentation. © 2025, World Researchers Associations. All rights reserved.