Controlled Blasting Near Water Reservoirs

Development of a country depends upon the mineral resources available and their economic exploitation for use in various industries. Iron ore is one of such minerals of immense importance in the continual growth of any county. India has about 18 billion tonnes of iron ore resources. The country’s consumption is rising and is expected to match with China’s 300 million tonnes, which is nearly 75 million tonnes more than the present production level. To cope-up with the increasing demand, excavation of iron ore from sensitive locations under difficult geo-environment conditions is pre-requisite. At Kiriburu Iron ore mine of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), iron ores had to be extracted nearby four water reservoirs for fulfilling the requirement of various steel plants. This paper presents the results of one of the experimental blasts undertaken by the authors, which was advised to be implemented (or practiced) in the mine on daily-basis for safe and efficient exploitation of iron ore nearby these water reservoirs. The water reservoirs, four in numbers, were located at 35 m from the blasting site. Compu-blast software was utilized for determining numbers, blast design parameters and and firing patterns. Nonel initiation system was used for proper fragmentation and controlled brakage of the surrounding rock