Blasthole Drilling
Blasthole drilling is a technique used in mining and quarrying operations to create holes for the purpose of placing explosives. These explosives are then detonated to break or fragment the rock and/or any other materials for excavation or extraction purposes.
In blasthole drilling, specialised drilling equipment, such as rotary drills or down-the-hole hammers, is used to penetrate the rock or ground. The drill bit is typically equipped with sharp carbide or diamond tips that aid in cutting through the material.
The size and depth of blastholes vary depending on the specific requirements of the mining operation.
Once the blastholes are drilled, explosives are carefully placed into the holes, often in a specific pattern or sequence, to ensure optimal fragmentation of the rock. Detonators are then connected to the explosives, and the blast is triggered remotely, creating controlled explosions that break the rock into smaller fragments.
After the blasting, the fragmented material is typically loaded and transported for further processing or extraction, such as crushing and screening. Blasthole drilling is an essential process in mining and quarrying operations, as it allows for efficient and effective extraction of valuable minerals or resources from the earth.