ABSTRACT
An experimental section in a base metal mine was represented by hydrothermally altered talc-carbonaceous rocks. The hanging wall of the ore body, within the limits of the experimental section, consisted of competent gabbro, while the footwall comprised peridotites. The range of rational values of blast breakage parameters that ensures the required quality of ore fragmentation at minimum dilution has been established. The design of experiments involving ore breakage under field conditions is associated with certain known difficulties. Productivity and concentration of extraction processes depend mainly on the parameters of breakage by blasting and blasting patterns. An evaluation of results of laboratory modelling and in-mine experiments on ore breakage by comparing the specific explosive consumption, specific blast energy and specific volume of gases released with the quality of fragmentation is a prerequisite to establishing the technoeconomic suitability of different types of explosives.
