NUCLEAR EXPLOSIVES IN MINING
Results of underground tests indicate possible applicatior of nuclear energy in mining and allied industries. The safety, feasibility, and economy of nuclear detonations have been demonstrated and further considerations reveal a number of interesting situations which might lend themselves to the use of this new type of explosive. Possible applicatins include stripping, crushing, quarrying, and the exploitation of petroleum products, development of water reources and low-grade ore deposits. Experience in the underground firing of nuclear explosives has indicated: that they can be contained, and therefore radioactivity is not an unmanageable problem; that seismic results are predictable and are of limited range. that surface effects can be determined beforehand. that under appropriate circumstances ground water contamination is negligible; and that mining operations in a blast area are feasible. If rock breaking and moving problems are big enough, nuclear explosives may offer the most economical solutions. Nuclear explosives can create conditions underground which are conducive to block-caving, a mining technique used prior to ore withdrawal or in-place leaching. The mining industry can supply test sites for practical experiments and has the know-how to help in the proper evaluation of the results. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- California. Univ., Livermore. Lawrence Radiation Lab.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- NSA Number:
- NSA-16-005110
- OSTI ID:
- 4823179
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-6636
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-62
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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