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Wall control by blasting optimization at “Las Cruces” open pit copper mine (Spain)

Publicated to:Rock Fragmentation By Blasting: Fragblast 10. 715-724 - 2012-01-01 (), DOI: 10.1201/b13759-104

Authors: Rocha M; Carrasco I; Castilla J; Cooper S; Rodríguez MD

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Abstract

Slope stability is one of the most important challenges in open pit mining. Blasting can be considered a principal cause of induced damage to these slopes. This induced damage has repercussions with respect to design and maintenance, additional support costs and above all mining safety. Nevertheless, a firm control on design and implementation of contour blasting can help to minimize damage and other adverse blast effects. This project deals with the optimization of contour blasting in the copper mining project Las Cruces (Inmet Mining), located in Seville, Spain. It develops the concept of continued improvement of contour blasting to minimize induced damage to slopes, analyzing the effects of energy distribution during rock blasting exercises. In this way, through a merging of energy data and geotechnical rock characteristics, it may be possible to obtain, for a particular rock, characteristic damage energy and, consequently, an optimum blast design. The final objective of the project is to minimize damage to the rock mass, achieving a more precise excavation face, minimization of maintenance costs and overall an optimum slope stability. During the evolution of the mining pit, blast design at Las Cruces Mine has evolved, utilizing a variety of known techniques as considered appropriate with reference to rock quality, water ingress, joint setting and required geometry. This project is divided into four different stages. Firstly, blasting data has been collected and analyzed using bespoke blasting software. The second stage comprises the analysis of the blasting energy data and rock mass joint distribution combined with geotechnical data to estimate the energy blasting effects on each material. Stage 3 deals with the design contour blasting. These blasts take into account the available energy limits obtained as a result of studying previous blasting activities and geotechnical characteristics together. Then, in the final stage different designs and implementation changes are formulated and trialed in situ to achieve results and meaningful conclusions. In summary, the results to date, and their evolution in this project will be highly beneficial for the mining operation, obtaining better and more efficient results in slope accuracy and stability.

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