Blasting principles for open pit mining. Part 1. General design concepts / Принципы ведения взрывных работ открытым способом. Часть 1. Общие концепции проектирования

Proper rock fragmentation is the key first element of the ore winning process. It is a two step activity in the sense that the holes for distributing the explosives within the rock mass must first be drilled (Step 1) as specified by the fragmentation plan. This is then followed by the controlled rubblization (Step 2) of the interlytng rock. The resulting product is then picked up and hauled away (Steps 3 and 4). Hence, when considering the structure of a book on Unit Operations in Open Pit Mining it might be considered logical to begin with an integrated treatment of drilling and blasting under the heading of fragmentation. On the other hand most mining books are organized by individual unit operation and the presentation is in the order in which they occur in the mine, i.e.
-    Drilling,
-    Blasting,
-    Loading,
-    Hauling. <...>