The use of high density ammonium nitrate mini-prill blasting agents to reduce drilling and blasting costs

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

OSTI ID:433699

Adams, J C ^[1]; Irwin, R ^[2]

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1. Explosives Technologies International, Louviers, CO (United States)
2. Santa Fe Pacific Gold Corp., Valmy, NV (United States)

In early 1993 a test program was designed to determine if mining costs could be reduced by using a high density ammonium nitrate mini-prill blasting agent. The goal was to reduce mining costs by expanding blast hole patterns while maintaining or improving dig-ability of the shot material. The results of the program indicated that with the high density ammonium nitrate blasting agent, fragmentation of the waste rock could be maintained or improved while expanding blast patterns by 23%. When used within ore zone boundaries, where pattern expansion and material displacement is not desirable, an improvement in shovel productivity was recognized while no increase in ore dilution was experienced. A reduction in bucket tooth wear was also reported.

• OSTI ID: 433699
• Report Number(s): CONF-940144--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVES
COST
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
DESIGN
EXPLOSIVE FRACTURING
PERFORMANCE
SURFACE MINING