ABSTRACT
Size distribution is the basic tool within the optimization process of blasting, as it is the only means of comparing the fragmentation obtained when a study is to be done on the sensitivity of the design parameters. Apart from the classification of size distribution or screening of the muckpile in treatment plants, there is no method which enables a quantitative evaluation of fragmentation in conditions that would be trustworthy. The muckpile and the general aspect of the blast is observed immediately afterwards and the engineer responsable for the evaluation makes a subjective asses-ment. The most important source of error was in assuming that the surface fragment distribution was representative of the total mass. The modern methods of image analysis use sophisticated software and hardware to quantify geometric aspects with images in two dimensions, such as the area, number, perimeter, shape, size and orientation.
