Implementation and Verification of Effectiveness of Bulk Emulsion Explosive with Improved Energetic Parameters in an Underground Mine Environment

Piotr Mertuszka (), Bartlomiej Kramarczyk, Mateusz Pytlik, Marcin Szumny, Katarzyna Jaszcz and Tomasz Jarosz ()
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Piotr Mertuszka: KGHM Cuprum Ltd. Research & Development Centre, 2-8 Sikorskiego Street, 53-659 Wrocław, Poland
Bartlomiej Kramarczyk: NITROERG S.A., 1 Alfred Nobel Square, 43-150 Bieruń, Poland
Mateusz Pytlik: Conformity Assessment Body, Central Mining Institute, 1 Gwarków Square, 40-166 Katowice, Poland
Marcin Szumny: KGHM Cuprum Ltd. Research & Development Centre, 2-8 Sikorskiego Street, 53-659 Wrocław, Poland
Katarzyna Jaszcz: Department of Physical Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Tomasz Jarosz: Department of Physical Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 17, 1-19

Abstract: Explosives are commonly used in the mining industry to extract minerals from hard rock deposits. Therefore, an efficient explosive should ensure that the appropriate blast outcome is achieved, taking into account the desired rock-breaking parameters and the costs of drilling and blasting works. Depending on the type of deposit and follow-up processes, a proper blast result may be characterized by fragmentation, muckpile shape, overbreaks, etc. Industry has struggled to respond to the demand for bulk emulsion explosives with improved energetic parameters, having so far been unable to do so safely, effectively, and cost-efficiently. Methods of improving blasting parameters mainly rely on introducing a variety of additives to the emulsion explosive formulation during production, which creates additional hazards at that stage. Alternative, safe methods of achieving an improved energetic performance of emulsion explosives are, therefore, highly desirable. This paper is focused on one such proposed method as a continuation of previous research works and the performance of a novel bulk emulsion formulation under real mining conditions during the firing of mine faces is described. The tests included density measurements over time, measurements of impact and friction sensitivity, measurements of the detonation velocity in blastholes, determination of brisance via Hess test, and analysis of rock fragmentation. Results were compared with those obtained with a commercially available bulk emulsion explosive, highlighting that the performance improvement achieved by the proposed emulsion modification method is not limited to artificial test conditions, but translates well into actual application conditions.

Keywords: underground mining; blasting; explosives; detonation velocity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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