The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 6
Minimising
Coal Damage
and Loss Due to Cast
Blasting
By Tapan Goswami
Abstract
This article discusses the importance of coal mapping, the rock properties of the roof and
floor interface of the coal seam, and the significance of loading and initiating designs in
minimising coal damage. Furthermore, the importance of using electronic initiators cannot be
emphasised enough. This article also discusses how a cast blast can be initiated from many
locations by mitigating geological abnormalities and thereby avoiding spatial movement of
rock shearing in a plane above the coal seam.
Introduction
Any increase in cast to the final spoil translates into savings
when applied to horizontal or gently dipping coal deposits.
Stressed market conditions, in association with high stripping
ratios, compel operations to maximise cast in order to
stay relevant. Explosives or chemical energy remain by far the
cheapest option to move more overburden to the final spoil,
and thereby reduce the excavation volumes that need to be
excavated by the machines.
Limited knowledge of future coal prices sets capital constraints
on operations, compelling them to regulate high stripratio
coal mining. This cost pressure won't disappear in the
foreseeable future, so long as the emerging markets dictate
commodity pricing. In this context, coal mining operations can
be subsumed into two categories: highly mechanised or manual
(less mechanised). Hence there are two types of operations
trying to co-exist commercially in the global business. Under
6
these conditions, it is difficult to reduce unit costs by preserving
the 'status quo' (mining method and cost structure).
Operations with medium to long-term mine plans that
provide a clear picture for the future are the biggest winners
when the pressure on scheduling is not so great and
somewhat obliging. It is clearly beneficial to accommodate
changes in these types of operations without interfering with
daily mining schedules. The goal is thus to maximise cast and
coal recovery without changing schedules. In the Australian
context, there are three distinct mining methods where cast
blasting can be beneficial: Cast-Doze, Cast-Dragline, and
Cast-Truck and Shovel, implemented according to a cost ($)/
yd3
(m3
) basis. Cast-Doze, uphill (or downhill), depending on
the geometry of overburden to the final position (beyond the
pivot-line) is critical for the economic benefit of this method.
In this regard, at various sites Cast-Doze has proven to be the
most cost-effective method. Likewise, for the Cast-Dragline
operation, considerable savings result from the volume of
The Journal of Explosives Engineering
January/February 2022
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022
From the President
Minimising Coal Damage and Loss Due to Cast Blasting
New Technology - Paid Advertisement
Chapter News
Calendar of Events
Explosives, 100 Years Ago, More or Less
In Memory of…
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - Intro
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - Cover1
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - Cover2
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 1
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 2
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 3
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - From the President
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 5
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - Minimising Coal Damage and Loss Due to Cast Blasting
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 7
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 8
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 9
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 10
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 11
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 12
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 13
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - New Technology - Paid Advertisement
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 15
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - Chapter News
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 17
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 18
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 19
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - Calendar of Events
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 21
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - Explosives, 100 Years Ago, More or Less
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 23
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 24
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 25
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 26
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 27
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 28
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 29
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 30
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 31
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 32
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 33
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - In Memory of…
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 35
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 36
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 37
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 38
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 39
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - 40
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - Cover3
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2022 - Cover4
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