Coedmore Quarry – Ground vibration and airblast

Challenge

Situated in a residential area, approximately 500m from the N2 highway in KwaZulu-Natal, ground vibration and airblast brought about major concerns for blasting operations.  The quarry was flooded with continued complaints and attempts to thwart the mining operations

Solution
Coedmore Quarry adopted the AEL electronic detonating system and single hole firing timing designs were introduced.

Outcome
This adoption allowed for control of out of sequence blasting due to higher accuracy of the detonators, as well as a reduction in the charge mass per delay.  PPV readings have been reduced from 10mm/s to an average 2.6mm/s.  Frequencies showed an increase of 10.4% and airblast was reduced by 1.28% on the Db scale equating to 23% reduction in air pressure at the same time allowing for blasting closer to the areas of concern.  Due to the reduced environmental impact, this quarry continues production, which would have been unlikely had the operation not adopted the electronic detonating system which could have resulted in job losses and loss of income for the group.