Commercial Explosives on Mining, Quarrying and Civil Blasting

Overview

What you will learn

The learning objectives of the Commercial Explosives on Mining, Quarrying and Civil Blasting course offered by North-West University (NWU) are:

• a basic understanding of the history of commercial explosives

• a  basic understanding of the properties of different commercial explosives

• basic knowledge of the main rock types and geological features and an understanding of rock fragmentation by means of blasting and the methods for measuring it.

• basic knowledge of the different initiating systems with their respective advantages and disadvantages as well as  a clear understanding of the accuracy in blast timing and its effects on the overall results

• basic knowledge of the rock breaking process as it relates to a single hole versus multiple holes.  Using rules of thumb, the participant should be able to design timing for different types of blasts.  The participant should understand what timing contours are.

• a clear understanding of the different surface mining techniques and the different machines associated with that type of mining.   

• the ability to design a surface blast using rules of thumb.

• basic knowledge of tunnelling in development and the different cuts used as well as timing techniques used in tunnel blasts.

• basic knowledge and understanding of stoping in the narrow reef environment as well as the various timing techniques in stope blasts and be able to show the different timing layouts.

• a basic understanding of the massive mining methods.

• basic knowledge and understanding of drilling blast holes and the factors that influence the accuracy.

• the ability to calculate the blasting vibrations in the ground and the air as a result of a blast design as well as the fly rock risk circle and explain how to mitigate the environmental factors to ensure public safety and comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS Act).

• basic knowledge and understanding with regard to the causes of accidents in the workplace as it relates to the mining industry and the use of explosives to break rock.