In large surface mining operations, drilling and blasting activities constitute more than 15% of the total costs. In order to optimize performance and minimize costs, a thorough knowledge of drill and blast operations is, therefore, extremely important.In this unique reference volume, rotary blasthole drilling and surface blasting, as applied in la

A comprehensive and illustrated desk reference with terms, definitions, explanations, abbreviations, trade names, quantifications, units and symbols used in rock mechanics, drilling and blasting. Now including rock mechanics as well, this updated edition presents 5127 terms, 637 symbols, 507 references, 236 acronyms, 108 formulas, 68 figures, 47 ta

Rock breakage with explosives has existed since the seventeenth century when black powder came into use in mining. Since then it has progressed from the invention of dynamite to the use of heavy ANFO. During the past two decades, there have been numerous technical contributions which have brought a better understanding of rock fragmentation with explosives, an improvement in drilling equipment and a noticeable evolution in the development of new explosives and blasting accessories. The Geomining Technological Institute of Spain (ITCE), aware of this progress and of the importance which the breakage process has acquired in mining and civil engineering projects, has ordered the publication of Drilling and Blasting of Rocks. The purpose of this Handbook is to give basic knowledge of the drilling systems, the types of available explosives and the accessories and the parameters that intervene in blast designing, whether controllable or not; at the same time the objectives and contents contribute to improved safety in mining. The Handbook is meant for all professionals who are involved with explosives in mining operations and civil engineering projects, as well as for students of technical schools.

Most rotary blasthole drills used in the mining industry today are equipped with automatic control systems. However, few, if any, implement closed-loop feedback control of the drilling process itself. This thesis investigates the potential for such control on a large rotary electric blasthole drill. The control strategy examined is Proportional-Integral-Velocity (PIV) control. The drill was successfully equipped with a data logger, and a comprehensive set of drilling data was gathered at an open pit taconite mine in northern Minnesota. This data set was used to model the dynamics of both the feed and rotary actuators. A drilling process software simulator, based on hydraulic blasthole drill data originally developed in previous work [Aboujaoude 1991], was successfully replicated in Simulink, and thoroughly documented, overcoming a major shortcoming in Aboujaoude's work which provided incomplete information on the simulator implementation. The control strategy from the previous work was successfully integrated with the new process simulator, and its performance validated by comparison with the results presented in the previous work. The drilling process simulator was then modified by replacing the actuator dynamics with the models identified for the electric drill. The modified simulator was validated, and the behaviour of the system with the new actuator models while under feedback control was observed. The controller gains were re-tuned to achieve acceptable drilling performance with the new actuator models. This resulted in a prototype controller ready for field testing on the large rotary electric blasthole drill. In addition, this thesis has produced a fully documented drilling process simulator, suitable as a platform for future research.

Coal will continue to provide a major portion of energy requirements in the United States for at least the next several decades. It is imperative that accurate information describing the amount, location, and quality of the coal resources and reserves be available to fulfill energy needs. It is also important that the United States extract its coal resources efficiently, safely, and in an environmentally responsible manner. A renewed focus on federal support for coal-related research, coordinated across agencies and with the active participation of the states and industrial sector, is a critical element for each of these requirements. Coal focuses on the research and development needs and priorities in the areas of coal resource and reserve assessments, coal mining and processing, transportation of coal and coal products, and coal utilization.

Analysis, Modeling & Design is the third volume of the five-volume set Rock Mechanics and Engineering and contains twenty-eight chapters from key experts in the following fields: - Numerical Modeling Methods; - Back Analysis; - Risk Analysis; - Design and Stability Analysis: Overviews; - Design and Stability Analysis: Coupling Process Analysis; - Design and Stability Analysis: Blast Analysis and Design; - Rock Slope Stability Analysis and Design; - Analysis and Design of Tunnels, Caverns and Stopes. The five-volume set “Comprehensive Rock Engineering”, which was published in 1993, has had an important influence on the development of rock mechanics and rock engineering. Significant and extensive advances and achievements in these fields over the last 20 years now justify the publishing of a comparable, new compilation. Rock Mechanics and Engineering represents a highly prestigious, multi-volume work edited by Professor Xia-Ting Feng, with the editorial advice of Professor John A. Hudson. This new compilation offers an extremely wideranging and comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art in rock mechanics and rock engineering and is composed of peer-reviewed, dedicated contributions by all the key experts worldwide. Key features of this set are that it provides a systematic, global summary of new developments in rock mechanics and rock engineering practices as well as looking ahead to future developments in the fields. Contributors are worldrenowned experts in the fields of rock mechanics and rock engineering, though younger, talented researchers have also been included. The individual volumes cover an extremely wide array of topics grouped under five overarching themes: Principles (Vol. 1), Laboratory and Field Testing (Vol. 2), Analysis, Modelling and Design (Vol. 3), Excavation, Support and Monitoring (Vol. 4) and Surface and Underground Projects (Vol. 5). This multi-volume work sets a new standard for rock mechanics and engineering compendia and will be the go-to resource for all engineering professionals and academics involved in rock mechanics and engineering for years to come.

Rock breakage with explosives has existed since the seventeenth century when black powder came into use in mining. Since then it has progressed from the invention of dynamite to the use of heavy ANFO. During the past two decades, there have been numerous technical contributions which have brought a better understanding of rock fragmentation with explosives, an improvement in drilling equipment and a noticeable evolution in the development of new explosives and blasting accessories. The Geomining Technological Institute of Spain (ITCE), aware of this progress and of the importance which the breakage process has acquired in mining and civil engineering projects, has ordered the publication of Drilling and Blasting of Rocks. The purpose of this Handbook is to give basic knowledge of the drilling systems, the types of available explosives and the accessories and the parameters that intervene in blast designing, whether controllable or not; at the same time the objectives and contents contribute to improved safety in mining. The Handbook is meant for all professionals who are involved with explosives in mining operations and civil engineering projects, as well as for students of technical schools.

Industrial Explosives and their Applications for Rock Excavation focuses on applications of industrial explosives in civil and mining engineering works. Explosives and their actions are explained in terms of basics, principles, and related chemistry. Explosives and initiation devices are described, including their characteristics, geometry, and timing aspects of the blast design. Designing blasts for rock excavation works is explained, including devices for obtaining large-sized blocks, construction of yards, and excavation of big foundations. Finally, criteria for the mitigation of the associated seismic disturbances are summarized. The book: provides an updated vision of industrial explosives, including the best technical advice for rock excavation; contains harmonized preliminary modules aimed at introducing basic concepts of chemistry and physics applied to the drilling and blasting technique; defines balanced mix of theory capable of providing skills to design an efficient blasting; covers excavation problems from different points of view and in different contexts; and addresses issues of drilling and loading blast-holes. Industrial Explosives and their Applications for Rock Excavation is aimed at graduate students, researchers, and professionals in mining engineering and explosives technology.

This book provides a comprehensive review of drilling technologies in the polar regions, from the portable drilling equipment for shallow sampling and coring, to heavy drilling equipment for deep onshore and offshore drilling. Particular attention is given to safe drilling methods in permafrost. In recent years, interest in drilling in the polar regions has increased under the pressure of the geopolitical “rush” and the undiscovered resource potential. In addition, borehole monitoring of permafrost thermal states is urgently needed to obtain evidence of climate change. The book focuses on the latest drilling technologies but also discusses the historical development of sampling, and drilling tools and devices, over the last 60–70 years providing valuable insights into a way forward and future possibilities.

Exploring the world of oil well drilling reveals an interesting mix of technology, well completion, and engineering prowess. Drilling oil wells, a cornerstone of global energy production, involves a complex series of processes designed to extract hydrocarbons from deep within the Earth’s crust. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of the art in drilling, exploring topics such as nanotechnology use in advanced oil well drilling, oil well completion strategy, drilling fluid chemistry, positive displacement motor design and performance, sonic drilling, and future drilling technology and development.