Human response to ground vibration and air over-pressure due to blasting in opencast non coal mines - a case study

Human response to blast induced vibration and air overpressure is an unsolved problem that accompanies excavation process in mining. Pre assessment and understanding of annoyance due to production blasting is probable on e of the most important aspects of a successful operation. Complaints arising due to unoptimised blasts, lead to various critical situations that hampers normal production. Still this important aspect has been covered y a limited number of researchers in the world and probably least in Indian context. Human response is a complex phenomenon and the sensitivity of individual also vary from person depending on various factors like age, sex, literacy, health and exposure to mining. With ever increasing demand for minerals, opencast mines will transgress towards habitats, wherein these problems will be more acute. Many developed countries have their own guidelines based on scientific analysis, addressing such environmental problems, where as there are a few such studies available regarding to opencast mines in India. This study introspects above phenomenon in tune with mining requirements by analyzing human direct response. Systematic sampling of response, categorisation and inferential statistical technique have been used to decipher the underlying information. Advanced technique of CPM in limestone mine has been used to unearth important inferences on the response of different cross-sections of persons residing near the mines to blast induced noise, ground vibration and air overpressure. The inferences drawn may provide guidelines to the planners, environment or safety departments and blasting official for safe and environment friendly blast design