ABSTRACT

Blasthole drilling, as we see it today, has developed through need. For centuries past, the needs have been ever increasing, and in the future also the trend will continue to increase.

The existence of water and minerals in the ground was known even in the prehistoric era. Wells were dug for extraction of water that percolated into them. When pumping water from small diameter holes became possible, the need for drilling deep holes to access the deep-seated water sources was felt. The percussion drilling method was used for water wells for over two thousand years till the recent past.