UNIT OPERATIONS OF MINING

4.1. FUNDAMENTAL OPERATIONS AND CYCLES

Throughout the latter three stages of mining, commencing with drilling and excavation
during exploration and continuing through development and exploitation, certain
fundamental operations are performed to free and transport the material being mined. As
introduced in section 1.5, these basic steps are referred to as the unit operations of mining.
If they contribute directly to mineral extraction, we call them production operations;
auxiliary operations support the main mining activity but are usually not directly part of it
unless essential to worker safety pr operating efficiency. Our interest is primarily in those
production operations employed for development and exploitation.
The material extracted during mining varies widely, from unconsolidated soil or broken
rock to the toughest and most compact rock in place (e.g., gabbro, quartzite, jasper,
taconite). Both waste and ore (or coal or stone) typically are involved. Further, they must be
transported and disposed of, ultimately to mineral-processing, shipment or waste disposal
facilities.
Two basic functions, then are required in mineral extraction: breakage and handling. Since
only well-consolidated materials have to be freed from the earth, the first function is more
specifically termed rock breakage. In most mines, breakage is accomplished by drilling
(rock penetration) and blasting (rock fragmentation). Materials handling is usually
performed in two steps, loading (excavation) and haulage. If considerable vertical lift is
involved, then hoisting may be required as well. Each of these four fundamental operations-
drilling, blasting, loading, and haulage-is discussed as to principle in this chapter and
application in subsequent chapter (see especially illustration in sections 5.3 and 9.4).
Unit operations are characterized mainly by the equipment that performs them. Mining
today is almost totally mechanized. Thus distinctions between unit operations in surface
and underground mining are mainly a matter of scale (but note again the modern scale of
underground work fig.1.1). The equipment used in both is remarkably similar, in principle
and function, as we shall see.
The sequence of unit operations utilized to accomplish mine development or exploitation
caller cycle of operations. In most mining, as explained above, there are four basic
operations in the production cycle:
Basic production cycle = drill + blast + load + haul
The production cycle is used or modified to suit conditions. For example, in "hard rock"
mining (the ores of most metals and nonmetals fall in this category), the basic cycle is used
in nearly all surface and underground extraction. An exception is dispensing with drilling
and blasting in stripping waste or mining ore that is loose or unconsolidated (soil,
weathered rock, placer material, etc). The basic cycle (with the same exception) is also
applicable to surface coal mining, although the coal itself may be broken and excavated
mechanically and blasting avoided. A departure customarily occurs in the underground
mining of coal and the softer nonmetallic (e.g., salt, potash, trona), where cutting of the
coal or ore precedes blasting or continuous mining replaces the separate operations of
drilling, blasting, and loading. An extension of mechanical excavation to soft and medium -
hard rock is also occurring drilling and blasting. Finally, is not blasted but channeled, cut,
or sawed.
The term cycle implies that mining operations are cyclic in nature, which the majority are.
It is interesting to note (above) that in two of the more radical departures from the basic
cycle (continuous mining and tunnel boring), the resulting cycle of operations is (1)
streamlined and (2) more continuous. Both represent improvements that the mining
industry sorely needs if it is to progress from essentially and intermittent technology to a
continuous one. The ultimate in mining, however. -a truly continuous extraction system that
breaks and moves material without interrumption.is still some years away.
4.2 DRILLING AND ROCK PENETRATION
Rock Breakage
The freeing or detaching large masses of rock from its parent deposit is termed rock
breakage. Man made a giant leap forward in prehistoric times when he devised a method to
break rock by fire building and water quenching, and ingenious way of utilizing thermal
stresses to overcome the rock´s cohesive strength (section 1.3). When he eventually
discovered explosives and ventured to use them to blast rock, he loosed an awesome energy
source and in so doing made the greatest technological advance in mining of all time.
Without knowledge of rock mechanics, he had succeeded in amassing and focusing energy
in amounts sufficient to break rock.
Interestingly, early man first displayed the ability to work rock in ways unrelated to mining.
With the addition of the first sharpened, stone-tipped weapon to his arsenal, he
demonstrated the skill to break and shape rock in a controlled way to suit his purposes. He
applied energy, focused and concentrated, to overcome the strength of rock by chipping,
abrading, and so forth. From experience, these early craftsmen learned-again, without
benefit of a understanding of rock mechanics-how to apply stress in tension or shear so as
to capitalize on the weaknesses of the brittle pieces of rock they carved into ax blades,
spear points, and, eventually, arrowheads.
Mining today exists with the same basic objectives that it did in ancient times and employs
the same basic elements of the production cycle, breakage and handling. It was with the
introduction of blasting into the cycle in the seventeenth century, however, that a flood of
improvements in production operations began, culminating in revolutionary new machines
and processes of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Mechanization had come to
mining, and with it a realization that utilizing abundant amounts of energy allowed more
rock to be broken and transported per unit of time and labor.
Generally, two different kinds of rock breakage operations are performed in mining. In rock
penetration (drilling, cutting, boring, etc), a directed hole or kerf id formed, usually
mechanically but sometimes hydraulically or thermally, (1) for the placement or relief of
explosives in blasting or for other purposes requiring small holes, (2) to produce a finished
mine opening or tunnel, or (3) to extract a mineral product of desired size and shape
(dimension stone). In contrast, rock fragmentation aims to loosen and fragment large
masses of material, conventionally by chemical energy in blasting but additionally by
mechanical, hydraulic, and novel applications of energy.
Although operating on different scales, penetration and fragmentation function by applying
energy through a variety of similar basic mechanism to break rock. What is also remarkable
in concentering and focusing that energy to overcome the strength of the rock is that the
rate of application is as critical in producing failure as the energy form and amount. Thus
we note that all successful rock breakage processes are time-dependent and that, in general,
the more rapid the application, the more effective. In rock mechanics terms, we employ
dynamic, loading (in preference to static, loading, except in caving methods of mining) to
accomplish penetration of fragmentation-although it must be conceded that drilling is
orders of magnitude slower than blasting as a dynamic-breakage process.
Mathematically, this is equivalent to saying that the amount of rock damage accomplished,
usually measured as the weight W or volume of rock broken, is proportional to the energy
E consumed in the process:
W=E (4.1)
This basic relation is useful in blasting and other fragmentation processes. In drilling and
other penetration processes, we are more concerned with the rate of advance R, the
penetration per unit time, than the amount of rock broken; and hence the basic relation
becomes
R = dE/dt (4.2)
where dE/dt it the time rate of energy application. Since dE/dt is also the power P
consumed in the process, we may write 4.2 in the form
R=P (4.3)
which states that-in drilling, cutting, boring, or any similar process. The penetration rate is
directly proportional to the power.
In modeling rock breakage processes, we must also deal with the behavior of the rock. At
an empirical level, we say the physical strength of the rock (i.e. Compressive, shear,
tensile) resist failure induced by the process loads. Since rock strength decreases in the
order stated, it makes eminent sense to design a penetration or fragmentations process to
apply its loads in the reverse order (i.e., tensile, shear, compressive). Unfortunately, that is
more difficult to do than say, and most processes succeed by applying some energy in
tension or shear but relying on excess amounts of energy in compression. In an era of
increasingly expensive energy, however, process and equipment designers are paying more
attention to Eqs.4.1 and 4.3 in a search for energy conservation and power efficiency.
Principles of Rock Penetration
Rock penetration methods can be classified on several bases. These include size of hole,
method of mounting, and type of power. The scheme that we will use is a generic one,
bases on the form of rock attack or mode of energy application leading to penetration. It is
general, applicable to all kinds of mining, and inclusive of all forms of penetration. Thus
classification bears some resemblance to one for rock fragmentation methods, such as
blasting, ripping and other wholesale breakage techniques, since the principles are identical,
and rock breakage is the common objective (see Table 4.3). Notices that the use of drilling
as a process name, however, is a reserved for mechanical attack systems.
All the known methods or concepts of rock penetration are listed in Table 4.1 in general
order of importance, with those having widest application appearing first. Where a
commercial or operational machine exists that employs a particular form of attack and
method, it is so identified. Discussion of leading categories is in order.
TABLA

Mechanical Attack. The application of mechanical energy to rock can be performed

basically in only one of two ways: by percussive or rotatory action. Combining the two
results in hybrid methods, termed roller-bit rotatory and rotatory-percussion drilling. The
mechanical category, of course, encompasses the vast majority (probably 98%) of rock
penetration applications today. In surface mining, roller-bit rotatories and large percussion
drills are the machines in widest current use, with rotaries and large percussion drills are the
machines in widest current use, with rotaries heavily favored; while underground,
percussion is employed for hard rock and brag-bit rotary for coal and soft to medium hard
rock. Rock-cutting and boring machines utilize drag-bit or, more often, roller-bit action.
Thermal Attack. Although penetration principles other than drilling are known, only two
novel forms have been utilized commercially in mining, thermal and hydraulic penetration.
The only thermal method having practical application today but limited to surface mining
(for environmental reasons) is flame attack with the jet piercer or channeled. It penetrates
rock by spalling, an action applicable to hard rock of high free-silica content. Because of its
ready capability of varying the shape of openings, oxygen on air jet burners are used not
only to produce blast holes but to chamber them as well and to cut dimension stone. Jet
piercing of blast holes, however, has decreased in popularity in recent years as mechanical
drills have improved in versatility and penetrability.
Fluid Attack. While disintegration of rock by fluid injection is an attractive concept, the end
result is more likely fragmentation than penetration. To produce a directed hole with
pressurized fluid from an external source, jet action or erosion appears to be the most
feasible means of attack, but commercial application to date is limited. Hydraulic monitors
have been used for over a century to mine placer deposits and to strip frozen overburden;
and more recently, high-pressure hydraulic jets have been applied successfully to the
mining of coal, gilsonite, and other consolidated materials of relatively low strength. Both
pulsating and steady jets have been utilized. In some penetration-fragmentation devices,
hydraulic-and mechanical-attack mechanisms assist and complement one another. For large
holes, the hydraulic jet alone may be competitive with drilling.
Other Methods and Future Applications. While some attempts to employ other forms of
energy (sonic, chemical, electrical, etc.) have been made, the remaining methods in Table
4.1 must be classified in the experimental or conceptual categories at present.
Maurer (1980) among others is optimistic about the future of novel and untried penetration
devices, citing successful laboratory and field teats where they have outperformed
conventional drilling methods. It is probable, however, that their value for rock penetration
in the near future will be limited to (1) supplementing mechanical energy (drilling) systems
for special circumstances and (2) creating very large or deep holes, such as tunnels or oil
wells. Their application for general drilling purposes in mining seems less attractive.

Drilling
With five exceptions, drilling is employed in mining for the placement of explosives: In
exploration, it is the primary method of sampling; in development, it may be used to
provide drainage, to stabilize banks by the placement of anchors, and to test foundations;
and in exploitation, it is used for the placement of roof or rock bolts (in coal miner, more
drilling is done for bolting than blasting). If used in conjunction with blasting, its
application, it is called production drilling. We look now at drill performance and the
principles of drill selection.

Operating Components of System. There are four main functional components of a drilling
system (and of most other penetration systems). They are related to the utilization of energy
by the drilling system in attacking rock in the following ways:
1. The drill, the energy source, is the prime mover, converting energy from its original form
(fluid, electrical, pneumatic, or combustion engine drive) into mechanical energy to actuate
the system.
2. The rod (or drill steel, stem, or pipe) transmits energy from the prime mover or source to
the bit or applicator.
3. The bit is the applicator of energy in the system, attacking rock mechanically to achieve
penetration.
4. The circulation fluid cleans the hole, controls dust, cools the bit, and at times stabilizes
the hole.
The first three are physical components of the drilling system, controlling the penetration
process, while the fourth is supportive of penetration through removal of cuttings.
In commercial drilling machines, attention has focused to some extent on reduction of
energy losses in transmission. This has led to the introduction of down-hole (in the hole)
drills, both of the large percussion variety and the roller-bit rotatory (electro drill and
turbodrill) type, although the latter has found application mainly in oil well drilling. They
replace mechanical energy transmission with fluid or electrical transmission, which usually
results in more energy reaching the bit and faster drilling.

Mechanics of Penetration. As indicated previously, there are only two basic ways to attack
rock mechanically-percussion and rotation-and the four classes of commercial drilling
methods to be discussed utilize these principles or combinations of them. It is the bit-rock
interaction that governs the efficiency of energy transfer and the nature of the breakage
process.

Causing rock to break during drilling it a matter of applying sufficient force with a tool to
exceed the strength of the rock. This resistance to penetration of rock is termed its drilling
strength, an empirical property; it is not equivalent to any of the well-known strength
parameters. Further, the stress field created by the tool must be so directed as to produce
penetration in the form of a hole of the desired shape and size. These stresses are quasistatic
in nature, because forces are applied relatively slowly in the drilling process.
The different ways in which percussion, rotatory, and combination (roller bit, rotatory-
percussion) drills attack rock are compared in Figure 4.1. The resulting cutting action of the
bit, however, is remarkably similar: In each case, alternating phases of crushing and
chipping occur. What differs is the relative importance of each phase in advancing the bit;
for example, crushing predominates in percussion drilling, chipping in a rotatory drag bit,
and a hybrid action in combination drills.

Factors in Drill Performance. A number of factors influence rock penetration or cuttings

removal during drilling, which in turn largely determine drill performance. There are four
groups of these factors:

1. Operating variables. These affect the four components of the drilling system (drill, rod,
bit, and fluid). They are largely controllable and include two categories of factors: (a) drill
power, blow energy and frequency, rotary speed, thrust, and rod design; and (b) fluid
properties and flow rate.
2. Drill hole factors. These include hole size, length, and inclination; they are dictated by
outside requirements and thus independent variables. Hole diameters in surface mining are
generally 6-18 in. (150-450 mm); underground, they range from 1 1/2 - 7 in. (40-175 mm)
3. Rock factors. They are environmentally derived and also independent; they consist of the
properties of the rock, geologic conditions, and the state of stress acting on the drill hole.
Often referred to as drill ability factors, they determine the drilling strength of the rock and
limit drill performance.
4. Service factors. These consist of labor and supervision, power supply, job site, weather,
and so forth. They, too, are independent, largely external variables, having some effect on
drill performance.

IMAGEN

Performance Parameters. In selecting the optimal drilling system or evaluating drill

performance, four parameters are measured or estimated most frequently:
1. Process energy and power consumption
2. Penetration rate
3. Bit wear (life)
4. Cost (ownership + operating = overall)

The effects of key operating variables on penetration rate for the three common drilling
systems are shown in figures 4.2 to 4.4. Figure 4.5 relates a drill ability factor, the
coefficient of rock strength (drilling strength), to penetration rate in percussion drilling.
Energy and power affect operating cost, but they are more important as determinants of
penetration rate (Eqs. 4.2 and 4.3). Both penetration rate and bit wear are major criteria of
performance, with wear more critical in deep holes and hard rock. Cost is the ultimate
measure of performance; a drill can have excellent performance, but if it is not cost
effective, then an alternative system should be sought. (It is well to understand, however,
that a goal of mining is the minimization of all rock breakage costs and that drilling does
not stand alone. Overall breakage costs include costs for blasting and also for crushing and
grinding if mineral processing occurs.)

Drill Selection. The selection of a production drill follows a well-defined procedure; it is a

true engineering design problem, requiring value judgments. The steps in selection are as
follows (Capp, 1962):
1. Determine and specify the conditions under which the machine will be used, such as the
job-related factors (labor, site, weather, etc), with safety the ultimate consideration.
2. State the objectives for the rock breakage phases of the production cycle of operations in
terms of tonnage, fragmentation, throw, vibrations, and so forth (in surface mining,
consider loading and haulage restrictions, pit slope stability, crusher capacity, production
quota, pit geometry, etc.).
3. Based on blasting requirements, design the drill hole pattern for surface mining or drill
round if underground (hole size and depth, inclination, burden, spacing, etc.).
4. Determine the drill ability factors, and for the kind of rock anticipated, identify the
drilling method candidates that appear feasible (manufactures can perform rock drill ability
tests and recommend drills and bits).
5. Specify the operating variables for each system under consideration, including drill, rod,
bit and circulation fluid factors.
6. Estimate performance parameters, including machine availability and costs and compare.
Consider the power source and select specification.

IMAGEN
Major cost items are bits, drill depreciation, labor, maintenance, power, and fluids. Bit life
and cost are critical but
7. Select the drilling system that, in best satisfying all requirements, has the lowest overall
cost, commensurate with safe operation.
The general trends in drills are toward greater efficiency, bigger drill rigs, more hydraulic
power, more automation, and increased ability to handle harder rocks as a results of better
technology. The most striking change over the last 20 years has been the growth of
hydraulic power in percussion and rotary-percussion drills. A very large percentage of all
underground percussion drills are now hydraulically powered, and surface drills are also
rapidly changing over. Lopez Jimeno et al. (1995) have compared the advantages and
disadvantages of hydraulic drills. The primary advantages are lower energy consumption,
greater drilling speed, lower rod costs, more flexibility, easier automation, and less noise.
The disadvantages are higher capital cost and increased maintenances costs. For most
situations, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.
The use of hydraulic jests or thermal drills is not a common practice. The availability of
better mechanical drills problems with power supply contribute to their infrequent use in
mining. They can be justified on an economic basis if the conditions are not well matched
to more conventional drilling methods. However, their economic value must be established
before committing capital for their use.
Kerf Cutting and Mechanical Excavation
The development of tungsten carbide cutting elements in 1945 (see Table 1.2) opened up a
whole new set of possibilities for extending percussion and rotary drilling principles to the
penetration of geologic materials on a larger scale. Some of the tools available combine
both penetration and fragmentation principles. These methods have enabled successful
cutting of kerfs (channels) and excavation of entire faces for a variety of mining
applications. Combined with flame jet tools, wire saws, diamond saws, and conventional
mining tools, the technology for cutting kerfs and faces now provides an impressive list of
possibilities.:
1. Kerf cutting
a. Coal and soft nonmetallic mineral: chainsaw type cutting machines with either a
fixed cutter bar or a universal (moveable) cutter bar.
b. Dimension stone: channeling machines (percussion or flame jet), wire saws,
circular saws with diamond blades.
2. Full face excavating
a. Underground
(i) Continuous miners and long wall shearers in coal or soft nonmetallic.
(ii) Boom-type miners (road headers) in soft to medium rocks.
(iii) Rapid excavation equipment (tunnel borers, raise borers, and shaft sinking
rigs) for soft to medium hard rock.
b. Surface
(i) Rippers for very compact soil, coal, weathered or soft rock
(ii) Bucket-wheel and cutting head excavators for soil or coal
(iii) Augers and high wall miners for coal
(iv) Mechanical dredges for placers and soil
Better technology in cutting tools has provided new opportunities for penetrating rock
without the use of explosives. The preceding outline lists the variety of applications
currently available to the mining industry. The winning of coal with cutting tools is now the
standard of the industry, and rapid excavation methods are gaining in their range of
applications. This area of rapid excavation is likely to be even more productive in the
future.

4.3 BLASTING AND ROCK FRAGMENTATION

Principles of Rock Fragmentation
As we said earlier rock fragmentation is the breakage function carried out on a large scale
to fragment masses of rock. In both the mining and construction industries, blasting is the
predominant fragmentation method employed, but other techniques are coming to the fore.
Based on distinctions in the way they apply energy to break rock, a classification of rock
fragmentation way they apply energy to break rock, a classification of rock fragmentation
methods is given in Table 4.3. While all have received some application in mining (the last
named, electrical, on an experimental basis only and limited, like impact, to secondary
breakage of boulders), only chemical energy (blasting) has widespread use for all
consolidated materials, both surface and underground, Excluded are excavating machines
which, even though they may fragment soil and rock, primarily perform a loading function
(Table 4.6);and continuous excavating machines, which mainly produce an opening and are
classified as penetration methods (Table 4.1)
Further discussion here is limited to blasting. In blasting, we shall fin that many of the
principles of rock penetration are valid, especially the one relating the amount of rock
damage to the amount of energy applied: W=E (Eq. 4.1). Both the properties of explosives
and the properties of rocks are involved (Hemphill, 1981). For our present purposes,
however, we shall focus on the theory of explosives and explosions, reserving rock
response and blasting applications for subsequent discussions under exploitation methods
(Section 6.6, 11.6).
TABLA
Theory of Explosives
Nature of Explosions. An explosive is an agent, compound, or mixtures that undergoes very
rapid decomposition when initiated by heat, impact, friction, or shock (Dick et al.,1983).
The decomposition is a high velocity, exothermic reaction, accompanied by the liberation
of vast amounts of energy and very hot gases at tremendously high pressure. The process is
termed detonation and the agent a high explosive if the speed of the reaction is supersonic.
It is called deflagration and the agent a low explosive if the speed of the reaction is
subsonic. Detonation may properly be termed an explosion, accompanied by the formation
of a shock wave. Deflagration is very rapid burning but not an explosion.
It is both (1) the impact of the shock wave and (2) the expanding effect of the high-pressure
gas formed during detonation that cause the rock to fragment, in varying proportions,
depending upon explosive and rock properties. Four of the key explosive properties are (1)
energy density, (2) bulk density, (3) rate of energy release, and (4) pressure-time history of
the gas release. Important rock properties are (1) density and porosity, (2) strength, (3)
energy absorption properties and modulus of elasticity, and (4) rock structure, including
jointing, bedding, fractures, alteration, and so forth (Clark, 1968; Hemphill, 1981).

Detonation Zone in Explosives. During an explosion, the chemical reaction of an explosive

produces a detonation zone that propagates through the charge and into the surrounding
rock (Dick et al.,1983). Figure 4.6 demonstrates the passage of the zone and attendant
shock front at the explosive´s midpoint (borehole charges typically are cylindrical in shape,
unless the hole has been sprung or chambered). The primary reaction occurs in the zone
bounded by the shock wave on the leading edge and the Chapman-Jouguet (C-J) plane at
the ear boundary. (This zone is very narrow in high explosives, which have
correspondingly smaller critical diameters than blasting agents, i.e., the smallest-diameter
cartridge which can be detonated.)
The shock (stress) wave moving out from the explosive creates the initial or detonation
pressure Pd. It is this pressure which gives the explosive its shattering action in breaking
rock. (A low explosive generates no shock wave and hence no Pd.) The detonation is
followed by a sustained or explosion pressure Pe, also called the borehole pressure. This
effect is due to the gas pressure action, equally or more important than the shattering action
in breaking rock.

Chemical Reactions of Explosives. Most ingredients of explosives (discussed in the next

section) are composed of the elements oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and carbon, plus certain
metallic elements (aluminum, magnesium, sodium, calcium, etc.). The composition of
explosives is varied and balanced chemically to produce the desired effects in blasting. For
example, because an explosion is essentially a combustion process, the chief criterion of
efficient energy release is the oxygen balance; that is, an oxygen-balanced explosive is one
that has an optimal energy release. Zero oxygen balance is the point at which an explosive
mixture has sufficient oxygen to completely oxidize all the contained fuels, but no excess
oxygen to react with the contained nitrogen (Clark,1968).
At zero oxygen balance, the theoretical products of detonation, all gaseous and harmless,
are water, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. In reality, small amounts of other gases are
generated, too: oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, methane, a few others. Any departure
from zero oxygen balance permits greater amounts of these extraneous gases-all toxic-to
form. Efficiency wise, they are mostly endothermic ("heat robbers"), which means they
consume energy rather than liberate it (Dick et al.,1983).
An equation may be written for basic, oxygen-balanced reaction involving only oxygen,
hydrogen, and carbon (Clark, 1968).
OB = O0 - 2CO2 - H2O = O (4.4)
If metals or other reactive elements are present, then in computing the oxygen balance,
enough oxygen must also be allowed to form the appropriate oxides of these elements (e.g.,
Al2O3, MgO, Na2O, CaO).
The detonation of three different ammonium nitrate-fuel oil (ANFO) mixtures illustrates
the principle of oxygen balance (Dick et al., 1983). In these idealized equations, fuel oil is
represented approximately by the formula CH2, and the energy release is expressed in
kcal/kg:
1. 94.5% AN - 5.5% FO (oxygen-balanced)
3NH4NO3 + CH2 ------ 7H2O + CO2 + 3N2 + 930 kcal/kg
2. 92.0% AN - 8.0% FO (fuel excess)
2NH4NO3 + CO2 ------ 5H2O + CO + 2N2 + 810 kcal/kg
3. 96.6% AN - 3.4% FO (fuel shortage)
 5NH4NO3 + CH2 ------ 11H2O + CO2 + 4N2 + 2NO + 600 kcal/kg

In each case, the energy release is obtained is obtained by calculating the difference of the
heats of formation of the ingredients and the products. The consequences of departing from
zero oxygen balance are obvious: different products or product amounts are formed, but the
major penalty is in reduced energy release. The field mixture normally employed consists
of 94% AN and 6% FO, which ensures a slight oxygen deficiency-fuel excess as a safety
measure (NO is more toxic than CO) and sacrifices less energy.
The reactions of a few other common explosives are also important. Although simple
ANFO mixtures provide the maximum energy release per unit cost of explosive, products
with higher densities and energies and improved water resistance are sometime required.
Examples are blasting agents, dry or slurry, with fuel. Sensitizer additives, such as
trinitrotoluene (TNT) or aluminum:
1. 78.7% AN - 21.3% TNT
21NH4NO3 + 2C6H2CH3(NO2)3 ----- 47H2O + 14CO2 + 24N2 + 1010 kcal/kg
2. 81.6% AN - 18.4% Al
3NH4NO3 + 2Al ----- 6H2O + Al2O3 + 3N2 + 1620 kcal/kg

Both of these mixtures liberate more energy per unit weight than ANFO and possess higher
densities.
Physical-chemical data for common explosive ingredients and explosives, useful for
calculations involving chemical reactions, oxygen balance, and energy release, are given in
Table 4.4.

TABLA

Properties of Explosives
Classification and Types. In the broadest sense, explosives can be classified as follows
(Anon, 1977):

Tabla
The term high explosive requires practical definition, because under varying circumstances,
ANFO may or may not act as a high explosive. If the product is cap-sensitive (i.e., can be
detonated by a no, 8 blasting cap), then it is technically classed a high explosive under U.S.
Department of Transportation regulations. Therefore, depending on ingredients and particle
size, ANFO (dry or slurry) maybe either a blasting agent or high explosive (Dick et
al.,1983).
In recent years, the consumption of explosives in mining (3.7 billion lb., or 1.7 billion kg,
annually, which accounts for 86% of U.S. commercial use) has shifted dramatically toward
ammonium nitrate blasting agents, both dry and slurry, primarily because of their economy,
safety, and versatility. Nitroglycerin-based (NG) explosives and diminishing in importance,
and black power has nearly vanished from the scene (it is essentially) outlawed in
underground coal mining). The distribution of explosives consumption currently is ANFO
85%, slurries 10%, NG dynamites 3%, and permissible 1% (Martens, 1982). (Permissible
are specially formulated mixtures that are safe to use in flammable atmospheres in
underground coal mines; they are safe to use in flammable atmospheres in underground
coal mines, they may be NG-based but today are principally AN.).

Ingredients. The principal reacting ingredients in an explosive are fuels and oxidizers.
Common fuels are fuel oil, carbon, aluminum, and TNT. Common oxidizers are AN,
sodium, nitrate and calcium carbonate. Other ingredients may include sensitizers (NG,
TNT, nitro starch, aluminum, etc.), energizers (metallic powders), and miscellaneous agents
(water, thickeners, gelatinizes, emulsifiers, stabilizers, flame retardants, etc.).
A summary of the principal ingredients used in high explosives, together with some of their
associated properties, appears in Figure 4.7. Detailed flow sheets of ingredients and
products which represent the processes involved in the manufacture or field mixing of
blasting agents, both dry and slurry, are shown in Figure 4.8. Depending on their
formulations, these agents may or may not be classed as high explosives.

TABLA Y MAPA

Blasting Properties of Explosives. Ammonium nitrate-based explosives, as mentioned, have

completely revolutionized the field of rock blasting. An oxygen balanced ANFO is the
cheapest source of explosives energy available today. Its chief disadvantages, however, are
its poor water resistance and modest energy release. Slurries, which are mixtures of AN,
water and a fuel sensitizer, either explosive or nonexplosive, were developed to extend the
range of properties of blasting agents (Fig 4.8). Water gels and emulsions are similar to
slurries.
Explosives and blasting agents are characterized by various properties that determine how
they will function under field conditions in blasting. While not necessarily the fundamental
properties that govern the behavior of explosives, they are practical measures of the ability
of explosives to perform useful work. The most important follow (Anon,1977; Dick et al.,
1983), with a summary of some numerical values in Table 4.5.
1. Strength. Formerly based on weight or cartridge strength that reflected the NG content,
the strength of explosives is now commonly expressed as the measured or calculated
energy release or as an energy value relative to that of ANFO at 100%. High strength is
needed to shatter hard rock, but excessive energy is wasted on soft, plastic, or fractured
rock.
2. Detonation velocity. This is the velocity at which the detonation front moves through the
explosive, and it varies from 5500 to 25000 ft./sec (1580 to 7620 m/sec). High velocity is
associated with shattering action, important in hard rock.
3. Density. Density is usually expressed as a specific gravity, relative to that of water at 1.
A practical measure is loading density, the weight of explosive per unit length of charge.
Specific gravity of explosive varies from 0.5 to 1.7. A dense explosive releases more
energy per unit volume or length of drill hole.
4. Water resistance. A practical consideration in wet ground, water resistance is the ability
of an explosive to withstand exposure to water without losing sensibility or efficiency. The
scale is a relative to water without losing sensitivity or efficiency. The scale is a relative
one, ranging from very poor for ANFO to good for slurries and very good for NG gelatin
dynamites.
5. Fume class. This is the measure of the amount of toxic gases (carbon monoxide, oxides
of nitrogen, etc) produced by detonation of an explosive. Because most commercial
explosives today are oxygen-balanced, fume production is less a problem than formerly.
Fume classes vary from low (0.36 ft3/lb., or 0.023 m3/kg, fume volume/weight of
explosive) to high (0.76-1.51 ft3/lb., or 0.047-0.094 m3/kg), ANFO has excellent fume
characteristics, tending not to cause the "powder headaches" associated with NG
explosives.
6. Detonation pressure. Already defined. Pa is a function of the detonation velocity and the
square of the density. It varies from 5 to 150 kb (500-15000 kPa). An explosive with a high
Pa is effective in hard, massive rock.
7. Borehole (explosion) pressure. Also a calculated quantity, Pe varies from 10 to 60 kb
(1000-6000 kPa). It is generally considered the most important explosive parameter in
breaking and displacing rock in blasting. Some ANFO mixtures have higher Pe than Pd
values, although most high explosives display the reserve behavior.
8. Sensitiveness. Defined as an explosive´s susceptibility to initiation, sensitiveness reflects
both safety in use and difficulty of detonation. Dynamites are highly sensitive by
comparison with ANFO, although sensitiveness can be regulated by additives.
Initiation Systems. Because of the highly concentrated energy source that is required to
detonate commercial high explosives and blasting agents, special initiators that re sensitive,
yet relatively safe and reliable are employed. An initiation system consists of three
components (Dick et al.,1983):
1. Initial energy source
2. Distribution network to convey energy to individual blast holes.
3. In hole detonator that initiates explosive (the detonator and explosive are termed a
primer).

An example of a simple (but nearly obsolete) initiation system in an underground metal

mine is (1) a match igniting (2) a burning fuse connected to (3) blasting caps inserted in
cartridges of explosives. A more elaborate system for surface or underground consists of
(1) a detonating cord (explosive pentaerythritotetranitrate or PETN) initiated by (2) a
blasting cap. The most widely used systems are electrical, initiated by a power line or
condenser discharge blasting machine, and with an electrical distribution network in place
of fuse. Loading and charging are related subjects; the trend is to mechanized bulk systems.
Particulars of loading and initiation are provided by Dick et al. (1983).

Selection of Explosives
Both the properties of explosives and field conditions enter into the proper selection of
explosives. Objectives are to select an explosive and blasting system that will yield the
lowest cost per unit of rock broken, while assuring that fragmentation and displacement of
the rock are optimal for the conditions. As stated for drilling, comparison costs should be
overall, consisting of drilling, blasting and comminution. Selection criteria include the
following (Anon.,1977; Dick et al.,1983):
1. Explosive cost. Relative costs of common mining explosives on a unit weight basis are
(Gregory,1979)

Bulk an prills 100%

Bulk ANFO 150
Bagged ANFO 230
Cartridged ANFO 300
Bulk or bagged AN slurries 550
Cartrifged dynamites 800
Cartrifged gelatin dynamites 850
(For comparison, costs in Table 4.5 are given on a unit volume basis.). In estimating
blasting costs, the expense of all other components in the system-transportation, storage,
charging, initiation, and so forth-must be considered as well. Absolute costs for bulk ANFO
currently average 4-5 c/lb. (9-11 c/kg)
2. Charge diameter. Charge diameter, is limited by hole diameter, and these factors are
among many in blast design that are interrelated. Critical charge diameter for bulk ANFO is
less than 2 in. (50 mm), but efficiency of energy release suffers unless the holes are
pneumatically loaded.
3. Rock blast anility. Special requirements for blasting because of rock conditions must be
considered and evaluated (e.g., very tough, dense, brittle, plastic, soft, or variable rock may
necessitate a unique blasting system).
4. Water conditions. Wet ground requires the use of a water-resistant explosive or water-
repellent container.
5. Fume conditions. If fumes are substantial, adequate ventilation must be provided in
mines. Explosives that are particularly offensive in fume release are banned for use
underground.
6. Other conditions. These include ambient temperature (low or high), propagating ground
(short circuits cause detonation between holes), storage requirements (less stringent for
blasting agents), sensitiveness (affects safety and dependability), and explosive atmosphere
(permissible explosive required in coal mines and others classified as gassy).
4.4 LOADING AND EXCAVATION
Materials Handling
All unit operations involved in excavating or moving bulk minerals during mining are
termed materials handling. In cyclic operations, the two principal operations are loading
and haulage, with hoisting an optional third when essentially vertical transport is
accomplished. In continuous operations, where machines combine the breakage and
handling functions, cutting, drilling, and blasting are eliminated, and extraction and loading
are performed in a single function (excavation). In combined loading-haulage machines,
materials handling is performed in a single operation.
Materials handling in modern mechanized mining is equipment-centered. Unit operations
are characterized by and sometimes identified with the equipment which performs them.
Thus field terminology refers to a mining shovel, stripping dragline, or coal loader.
The scale of materials-handling equipment in surface mining grows ever larger. Upper size
limits have risen to 300 tons (270 tonnes) for trucks, 220 yd3 (170 m3) for draglines, 180
yd3 (140 m3) for shovels, and 11000 yd37hr (8400 m3/hr.) for bucket wheel excavators.
The latter three, boom-type machines are employed for stripping overburden in coal mining
and are believed to be the largest man-made, dry-land, mobile structures in existence.
Reasons for the growing, gigantic scale of surface mining equipment are found in its high
productivity and low unit operating cost. In part, this is due to its worldwide commercial
availability from multiple, competing sources, standardized in product lines and graduated
sizes.
As we have done throughout this chapter, our attention here is on principles, reserving
applications for later discussion.

Principles of Loading-Excavation
The extraction and elevating of minerals, either broken or in place, is termed loading or
excavating. If the material is soil or very weak rock, it can probably be "dug" in place. If it
is rock or unusually well-consolidated soil, it likely will have to be blasted or mechanically
broken prior to excavation. In no coal mining, 20% of the material has to be blasted
(Martens, 1982).
A classification of mine loading-excavating equipment is presented in Table 4.6. Bases for
the classification are the locale of mining (surface or underground) and continuity of
operation (cyclic or continuous). Categories and common examples of individual machines
are given for each, For the sake of completeness, continuous mining and boring machines
appear, even though they were mentioned with penetration devices (Table 4.1).
The variety of equipment may overwhelm the student. Certain machines dominate the
scene, however, and they are easily learned. For surface mining, shovels, loaders, draglines,
and scarpers are in most common use. For underground mining, loaders, load-haul-dump
units (LDHs), and continuous miners are prevalent. In underground mines with large
openings and sufficient headroom, surface equipment-dozers, shovels, trucks, loaders, and
drills, modified to meet safety and operating conditions-has increasing application.
Each category and individual machine has operating characteristics that distinguish it and
help to earmark it for selection. Several have a unique feature: They perform joint functions
of loading and haulage (in addition to boom. Type machines that cast the material being
excavated). Examples of loading equipment that perform substantial haulage are dozers,
rubber-tired scrapers, rope-drawn scrapers, and LDHs.

TABLA

Most loaders-excavators are required to operate in three working tones, with a variety of
operating constraints (Martin et al.,1982). These zones-digging, maneuvering-transport, and
dumping- and some of their constraints are illustrated for surface mining in Figure 4.9. The
situation pictured occurs in stripping overburden or loading ore with a boom-type excavator
(power shovel, dragline, or bucket wheel). Other conditions prevail where scrapers, dozers,
front end loaders, or dredges find unique applications.
The major features or large shovel, dragline, and wheel excavators are summarized as
advantages and disadvantages in Table 4.7. Competitive and commonly used to strip
overburden in surface coal mining, these three machines warrant careful comparison,
although the trend in recent years has been strongly to draglines because of their greater
range, both digging and casting (Anon, 1976a).

Selection of Equipment
Four groups of factors largely determine the selection of excavating equipment (the
discussion applies specifically to surface equipment, but the factors are applicable to
underground as well) (Pfleider, 1973a; Martin et al.,1982).
1. Performance factors. These relate directly to machine productivity and include cycle
speed, available force (power), digging range, bucket capacity, travel speed, and reliability.

MAPA Y TABLA

2. Design factors. The design factors provide insight into the quality and effectiveness of
detail design, including the sophistication of human-machine interface for operators and
maintenance personnel, the level of technology employed, and the kinds of control and
power available.
3. Support factors. Sometimes overlooked in machine evaluation, support factors are
reflected in servicing and maintenance. Ease of servicing, special skills involved, parts
availability, and manufacturer´s support are important considerations.
4. Cost factors. Probably the most quantitative (and ultimate) factor, costs are determined
by standard estimating procedures for large mining and construction equipment. If
reasonable assumptions as to life, interest rates, inflation, fuel, and maintenance are made,
the results should be meaningful. The customary basis is to use unit costs, estimating
overall costs as the sum of ownership and operating costs, all computed on a $/hr basis
converted to $/ton (&/tonne) or $/yd3 ($/m3).
For estimation purposes involving excavation, data such as those in Table 4.8 may be used
if actual specifications are lacking. Numerical selection and cost estimation procedures will
be demonstrated later (Sections 7.6, 8.7).
Operating characteristics of large surface mining excavators (power shovel, dragline,
bucket wheel, front end loader, and hydraulic excavator) are available in several references
(Pfleider, 1973a; Anon.,1976a; Martin et al., 1982). Ratings for underground equipment are
more difficult to obtain and the choices are more restricted (Hamrin, 1982). For the latest
information on surface or underground equipment, consult the manufacturers or appropriate
trade associations.

TABLA

4.5 HAULAGE AND HOISTING

Bulk materials in mining are transported by haulage (primarily horizontal movement) and
hoisting (primarily vertical). Machines to accomplish these functions are identified in Table
4.9, classified on the same basis as excavating equipment. Information is also provided as
to (1) normal range of haul distance and (2) grade ability, average and maximum, important
performance parameters that distinguish machine application.
The primary function of all equipment in Table 4.9 is haulage, although some (front. End
loader, dozer, rubber-tired scraper, rope-drawn slushed, LHD) are self-loading. The only
true hoisting machines are the skip and cage, but as indicated under grade ability all
haulage devices can elevate the material they transport to some extent (hydraulic and
pneumatic conveyors are completely versatile and virtually unlimited as to distance and
grade). Elevating material is generally crucial in any mining operation, because most
mines, surface or underground, expand vertically to depth.
Again the variety of equipment seems overwhelming, but again certain machines
predominate. In surface mines with multiple benches, as in open pits, trucks team with
shovels in most applications, with lesser use of belt conveyors and rubber-tired scrapers. In
underground mines, rail, trucks (shuttle cars), LHDs, and belt conveyors are all popular in
various segments of the overall haulage system.
Just as excavators perform in prescribed working zones, so do haulage units. For the most
widely used haulage machine, the truck, as well as other machines, there are four zones:
loading, traveling loaded, dumping, and traveling empty (Fig. 4.10). Important design and
operating decisions are required in specifying conditions for all these zones, but loading
and dumping are especially critical (Martin et al.,1982). Alternative arrangements are
sketched for each; the use of double-truck back-up or spotting is preferred for quick loading
if a drive-through is not possible, and a drive-by grizzly (coarse screen made of rails)
affords the fastest dumping. Different working zones characterize other haulage machines,
and they all require careful analysis in selecting equipment and methods.
Comparable to Table 4.7 for excavators, Table 4.10 summarizes some of the main features
of haulage equipment. Most of these machines are used both on the surface and
underground.
TABLA E IMAGEN

Selection of Haulage Equipment

Again the factors and procedures in selecting optional haulage equipment are similar to
those for excavations, just detailed. For discussion of some of the unique aspects of haulage
systems design, refer to Pfleider (1973a, 1973b) and Martin et al. (1982).

Selection of Hoisting Equipment

Because hoists and related equipment, which comprise the shaft plant in underground
mines (and in a few open pits), are largely custom-designed systems, engineering selection
and layout follow unique procedures (Sections 9.5, 9.6).

4.6 AUXILIARY OPERATIONS

Auxiliary operations consist of all activities supportive of but not contributing directly to
the winning of ore, coal, or stone. Most are scheduled prior to of following the production
cycle so as to support but no interfere with production operations. A few may be conducted
as an integral part of the cycle if they are essential to health and safety or the efficiency of
operations.
Because auxiliary operations generate no income, there is a tendency in mining
organizations to assign them a staff function and low priority. It is the responsibility of the
mainline production managers to ensure that all these tasks receive proper attention, are
assigned appropriate priority, and are performed well. Recalling our discussion of mine
administration (Section 3.58), approximately three support personnel (overall) are required
for every two in production. In terms of the total mining enterprise, probably 60% of the
time and effort, if not the expense, goes to auxiliary functions, too.

Classification of Auxiliary Operations

Auxiliary functions and operations carried on in mining are listed in Table 4.11. They are
tabulated as (1) exploitation or development associated with production and (2) surface or
underground operations. Those which may be incorporated into the production cycle are
indicated. The list is remarkable both for its length and diversity. Not every activity is
performed in every mine, nor does every activity require full attention every shift. Every
operation which is required in a mine, however, should be scheduled regularly.
Grandted their importance, auxiliary operations warrant attention in our discussion. The
chief of these activities-surface slope stability and underground ventilation and ground
control-will be treated individually and in detail in later chapters. For accounts of these and
other auxiliary operations, also see the pertinent sections of the SME mining Engineering
Handbook-for example, underground (Robinson, 1973), reclamation (Brooks and Williams,
1973), power (Ehrhorn and young, 1973), and maintenance (Ehrborn, 1973). Other
references are underground (Lewis and Clark, 1964), surface (Hyslop, 1968; Wetswater and
Magnuson, 1968; Anon. 1976a), service vehicles (Sundeen and Wenberg, 1982), and
underground coal (Stefanko and Bise, 1983).

4.7 CYCLES AND SYSTEMS

Having studied the principles of the unit operations comprising the production cycle and
something of the procedure for selecting equipment to perform the various functions, we
conclude with discussion of mining systems and cycle balancing.
A flow sheet for a typical cycle of operations for surface mining, complete with both
production and auxiliary operations, is depicted in Figure 4.11. Standard equipment for the
four main production operations (drill-blast-load-haul) is assumed, although specific types
of machines are not identified (Martin et al.,1982). The sequence of activities is apparent,
as are the alternative approaches (e.g., ripping may replace drilling and blasting, and
auguring may be used in place of conventional coal recovery). Depending on
circumstances, certain operations could be omitted (e.g., drilling and blasting, if the
overburden is soil) or repeated (e.g., the entire cycle, if multiple coal seams are being
mined).
How would the flow sheet differ for underground mining? Certainly the auxiliary
operations would change (e.g., site preparation, clearing, etc., would not be required, nor
would the reclamation procedures; but additional operations, such as roof control and
ventilation, would have to be included). Details of the production cycle would also vary,
assuming specialized underground equipment is required. But sequential scheme and the
basic production operations would be very similar. Preparing a flow sheet for the cycle of
operations in a proposed mining venture is a necessary first step in system design.
Specifying the individual machines to perform all unit operations is followed by a careful
balancing of the cycle. Ideally, the units of the system should be matched in capacity so that
there is a uniform, uninterrupted flow of material from the working face to the surface
disposal point (plant, loading pocket, or dump). This infers that all units have the same
productive capacity are compatible size wise, will handle the material being mined, and
will function within constraints of the workplace (Martin et al.,1982). Sometimes different
equipment capacities can be brought into balance by varying the work schedule (e.g.
Drilling and blasting may be performed on one or two shifts, excavation may be scheduled
for all three shifts).
In designing the production cycle, once individual machine capacities are established, the
number of units (e.g., drills or trucks) can be determined from the required mine output.
Notice that the overall availabilities. For example, if the shovel is available 90% of the
time, the trucks are rated at 85%, and the crusher at the dump point has a 95% availability,
then the system availability is 73%. Likewise, the output of the system is limited by the
slowest can be achieved by oversizing all units, providing backup units, or incorporating
surge piles-all of which incur added costs. Clearly, the output, cycle time, and number of
units must be estimated with reasonable accuracy if a production cycle is to be properly
balanced, and these calculations will be introduced later.
Several alternative mining systems typically are investigated. Thus in surface mining of
coal, we may compare (1) front-end loaders and trucks, (2) rubber-tired scrapers, and (3)
draglines for stripping soul overburden. In surface ore mining, (1) rotary drills ANFO
explosives, power shovels, and trucks may have to be compared with (2) percussion drills,
TNT slurries, front-end loaders, and conveyors. In underground coal mining, the choice
may be between (1) continuous miners and belt conveyors and (2) conventional equipment
(short wall cutter, auger drill, permissible explosives, gathering arm loader, and shuttle
cars). Martin et al. (1982) provide some guidelines for selecting surface mining systems,
and Bullock (1982a) does the same for underground systems.
4.8 SPECIAL TOPIC: CHEMICAL DESIGN OF EXPLOSIVES
The theoretical oxygen balance for a given explosive can be calculated from the physical-
chemical data in Section 4.3. Note that S.I. units are typically used (Clark, 1968).
EXAMPLE 4.1.a. Calculate the oxygen balance of 1 kg of a high explosive with the
following composition:

Nitroglycerine (NG) 18%

Trinitrotoluene (TNT) 3
Ammonium nitrate (AN) 55
Sodium nitrate 10
S:G pulp 12
Calcium carbonate 2
100%
b. If the explosive is not balance, what change in composition would you suggest to
improve the oxygen balance (OB)?

SOLUTION. a. Determine the oxygen balance using data from Table 4.4 and Eq. 4.4:
OB = O0 - 2CO2 - H2O - CaO - Na2o = O
OB = 35.238 - 2(8.507)- 0.5(39.668) - 0.2 - 0.5(1.176)
= -2.398 g-atom/kg

b. Since the explosive is slightly oxygen-deficient (fuel-rich), reduce the fuel content (NG,
TNT) or increase the oxidant (AN).

PROBLEMS
4.1a. Write simplified, balanced equations for detonation of the following blasting agents,
expressing also the exothermic heat of reaction in kcal/kg (obtain from reference or
calculate):

1. Ammonium nitrate NH4NO3

2. Ammonium nitrate and lamp black NH4NO3 + C
3. Ammonium nitrate (96.6%) and fuel oil (3.4%) - fuel shortage NH4NO3 + CH2
4. Ammonium nitrate (94.5%) and fuel oil (5.5%)-oxygen balanced NH4NO3 + CH2
5. Ammonium nitrate (92%) and fuel oil (8%)-fuel excess NH4NO3 + CH2
6. Metallized ammonium nitrate NH4NO3 + Al
7. Metallized (9.9%) ammonium nitrate (87.6%) and fuel oil (2.5%) NH4NO3 + CH2 + Al

b. Compare the heats of reaction, ranking the seven explosives from greatest to least.
Account for the variation. Can the higher energy release of certain explosives be utilized in
blasting? How? Are there limits? (References: Clark, 1968, pp, 341-346; Dick, 1973, pp.
11:78-80; Dick et al.,1983, pp. 3-4).

4.2a. Calculated the oxygen balance (OB) for 1 kg of a high explosive with the following
composition:
NG 54%
TNT 9
AN 19
Sodium nitrate 4
S:G pulp 12
Calcium carbonate 2
100

b. Is the explosive in balance? What change in composition would you suggest to improve
the OB?

4.3a. Calculate the OB for 1kg of a high explosive with the following composition:

NG 9%
TNT 2
AN 63
Sodium nitrate 12
S:G pulp 12
Calcium carbonate 2
100%

b. Is the explosive in balance? What change in composition would you suggest to improvise
the OB?