Strategy, innovation and change -- Challenging the future at the Gregg River mine

Conference · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:433680

Woolf, R L; Bellenie, R W

The Gregg River mine is located 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Hinton, Alberta, approximately 330 kilometers (205 miles) west of Edmonton and lies against the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The tectonic forces that formed the Rockies also deformed the coal-bearing strata to create a structurally complex series of synclines and anticlines that are mined to release high grade metallurgical coal. Pit orientation and the complex geological structure adds a great deal of challenge to blasting operations and dictates that wall control and controlled blasting techniques be employed. This paper presents an operator`s experience with three methods of wall control presently in practice, and in particular, decoupled pre-splitting of large diameter blastholes and the field modifications required for successful results. Presently used delay techniques and blast designs that have significantly reduced back-break, improved fragmentation and reduced flyrock are outlined. In many open pit mines, unique blasts other than production blasts have to be performed. This paper outlines design parameters and results for footwall stabilization blasts, blasts close to existing structures and foundations, ditching techniques, and a modified decoupled design for thin parting blasting. To be competitive in today`s coal export market the operator must produce their product at the lowest possible unit cost. In an effort to further reduce drilling and blasting costs, Gregg River has undertaken a number of tests to examine the cost effectiveness of air-decks in production blastholes, blast pattern optimization, shovel production/blast efficiency monitoring and truck weighing programs. These projects and others are discussed and their potential benefits are tabulated.

• OSTI ID: 433680
• Report Number(s): CONF-940144--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
ALBERTA
COAL MINES
DESIGN
EXPLOSIVE FRACTURING
PERFORMANCE
PROCESS CONTROL
SAFETY ENGINEERING
SURFACE MINING
TIME DELAY