Understanding the connection between blasting and highwall stability

Surface mines continue to implement highwalls for several reasons, such as increasing recovery, improving margins, and justifying higher stripping ratios. Highwall stability is a complex issue that is dependent upon a variety of mining and geologic factors, and a safe design is necessary for a successful surface operation. To improve highwall stability, it is important to understand the connection between local geology and blasting. Explosives are employed throughout the mining industry for primary rock breakage. There are a number of controlled blasting techniques that can be implemented to improve highwall stability.These include line drilling, smooth wall blasting, trim blasting, buffer blasting, air decking, and presplitting. Each of these techniques have associated advantages and disadvantages. Understanding local geology is necessary for selecting the appropriate controlled blasting technique. Furthermore, understanding the limitations and conditions for successful implementation of each technique is necessary. A discussion of the impact of geologic conditions on highwall stability is provided. Additionally, discussion is provided for the successful incorporation of the controlled blasting techniques listed above, and the associated mining and geologic factors that influence the selection and design of controlled blasting plans.Finally, a new methodology is proposed.

Guest editorial–special issue on ground control in mining in 2020

Ground control is the science of studying and controlling the behavior of rock strata in response to mining operations.Ground-control-related research has seen significant advancements over the last 40 years,and these accomplishments are well documented in the proceedings of the annual International Conference on Ground Control in Mining(ICGCM)[1].The ICGCM is a forum to promote closer communication among researchers,consultants,regulators,manufacturers,and mine operators to expedite solutions to ground control problems in mining[2–7].Fundamental research and advancements in ground control science define the central core of the conference mission.Providing information to mine operators is a priority,as the conference goal is to offer solutions-oriented information.In addition,the conference has included innovative technologies and ideas in miningrelated fields such as exploration,geology,and surface and underground mining in all commodities.Many new ground control technologies and design standards adopted by the mining industry were first discussed at ICGCM.This conference is recognized as the leading international forum for introducing new ground-control-related research and products.

Evaluation of the 20 L dust explosibility testing chamber and comparison to a modified 38 L vessel for underground coal

The phenomenon of combustible dust explosions is present within many industries. Tests for explosibility of dust clouds per ASTM E1226 use a 20 L explosive chamber that places the combustible dust directly below the dispersion nozzle which generates a thorough mixture for testing purposes. However, in the underground coal mining industry, there are a number of geologic, mining, and regulatory factors that change the deposition scheme of combustible coal dust. This causes the atmosphere of a coal mine to have a variable rock dust-coal dust mixture at the time of ignition. To investigate the impact of this variable atmosphere, a series of lean explosibility tests were conducted on a sample of Pittsburgh Pulverized coal dust. These explosibility tests were conducted in a 38 L chamber with a 5 kJ Sobbe igniter. The 38 L chamber generates a variable air-dust mixture prior to ignition. The test results indicate that the 38 L chamber experiences reduced explosive pressures, and lower explosibility index values when compared to the 20 L chamber.

Guest editorial-special issue on ground control in mining in 2018

Ground control is the science of studying and controlling the behavior of rock strata in response to mining operations. Ground control-related research has seen significant advancements over the last 37 years, and these accomplishments are well documented in the proceedings of the annual International Conference on Ground Control in Mining (ICGCM)(1)The ICGCM is a forum to promote closer communication among researchers, consultants。

Guest editorial–Special issue on ground control in mining in 2017

Ground control is the science of studying and controlling the behavior of rock strata in response to mining operations.Ground control-related research has seen significant advancements over the last 36 years,and these accomplishments are well documented in the proceedings of the annual International Conference on Ground Control in Mining(ICGCM)[1].The ICGCM is a forum to promote closer communication among researchers,consultants,regulators,manufacturers,and mine operators to expedite solutions to ground control problems in mining[2–8].Fundamental research and advancements in ground control science define the central core of the conference mission.Providing information to mine operators is a priority,as the conference goal is to offer solution-oriented information.In addition,the conference has included innovative technologies and ideas in mining-related fields such as exploration,geology,and surface and underground mining.Many new ground control technologies and design standards adopted by the mining industry were first discussed at ICGCM.Therefore,this conference is recognized as the best forum for introducing new ground control-related research and products.

Guest editorial-special issue on ground control in mining in 2019

Ground control is the science of studying and controlling the behavior of rock strata in response to mining operations.Ground-control-related research has seen significant advancements over the last 39 years,and these accomplishments are well documented in the proceedings of the annual International Conference on Ground Control in Mining(ICGCM)[1].The ICGCM is a forum to promote closer communication among researchers,consultants,regulators,manufacturers,and mine operators to expedite solutions to ground control problems in mining[2–7].Fundamental research and advancements in ground control science define the central core of the conference mission.Providing information to mine operators is a priority,as the conference goal is to offer solutions-oriented information.In addition,the conference has included innovative technologies and ideas in miningrelated fields such as exploration,geology,and surface and underground mining in all commodities.Many new ground control technologies and design standards adopted by the mining industry were first discussed at ICGCM.Therefore,this conference is recognized as the best international forum for introducing new groundcontrol-related research and products.