DRILL & BLAST
Sharma predicts we’ll see more precise and sophisticated blasts in the future Image courtesy of
freeimages.com/ Jure Sucur
emulsion. T e emulsion technology will remain along with ammonium nitrate/fuel oil (ANFO). More bulk-explosives systems will be used. Also the application of diff erential explosives strength as per the strata information given by MWD drilling system will be more prominent, to achieve further optimisation. On the detonators front, I expect to see much safer technology, such as non-primary explosive detonators (NPED) with digital control, for more precise timing. Mega-blast technology will
PortaMetrics is a 3D machine vision tablet that provides
fragmentation analysis and is a popular tool in the blasting sector
greatly reduce ground vibration, incorporating a ‘signature-hole blast’
technique, as we shift more to digital initiation systems.
How do you think operator safety can be improved?
PDS: Operator safety from fl y-rock is the major concern now. With improvements in communication technology, crews can be sent to safe areas sooner. Moreover, remote controlled triggering of blasts (with radio waves) has also been developed. With this, operator safety can be enhanced enormously.
Do you think that we will see big changes in legislation in the next few years?
PDS: Yes. T ere will be changes in legislation in regards to the
environment. Also, health and safety concerns, such as more safe practises and safer equipment in vehicles, can be expected in the future. Implementation of more advanced warning systems (AWS) can also be expected.
How can blasting be made more environmentally friendly?
PDS: T e major adverse eff ects of blasting are ground vibration, fl y- rock and back-break. Mitigation of
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