ABSTRACT
Blasting is an important activity in opencast mining and optimization of blasted rock fragment are vital aspect for overall operational efficiency and cost effectiveness. So far no other source of concentrated energy has been found suitable to replace chemical explosives for rock fragmentation and displacement. Blasting performance is determined by the interaction of the detonation products of an explosive and confining rock mass (Watts 1999). Fragmentation is a key factor to control and minimize the loading, hauling, crushing, classification and processing costs in aggregate and industrial minerals operations (Sanchidrian, J.A. et al, 2006). Rock mass properties dominate this process. The blasting engineer is therefore, faced with the challenges of determining the rock mass properties which influence blasting performance the most and commensurate blast designs to suit different geological conditions.
