Mpofu, MvikelNgobese, Sibusiso SGMaphalala, BRoberts, David PKhan, Sumaya2022-05-272022-05-272021-01Mpofu, M., Ngobese, S.S., Maphalala, B., Roberts, D.P. & Khan, S. 2021. The influence of stemming practice on ground vibration and airblast. <i>Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 121.</i> http://hdl.handle.net/10204/124242225-62532411-9717http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2411-9717/1204/2021http://hdl.handle.net/10204/12424This paper details an assessment of stemming practices at a South African opencast coal mine and their influence on ground vibration and air blast. Quantitative and qualitative analysis methods were used for the study. The parameters assessed for the quantitative analyses included stemming length, stemming material type, blast-hole depth, burden, and spacing. Pre-blast data from the mine was analysed to determine the deviation between actual and mine design stemming parameters. Mine design stemming length was also compared to the rule-of-thumb stemming lengths. Peak particle velocity (ground vibration) and air blast data from seismograph stations around the mine was analysed to determine the correlation between stemming length and excessive ground vibration and air blast. The qualitative analysis involved observations of blasting procedures at the mine to determine compliance with mine procedures. Some level of non-compliance of actual stemming parameters to design stemming parameters was found, which initially suggested that non-compliance may have contributed to excessive air blast. However, further analysis of the seismograph results indicated no direct correlation between stemming length and excessive air blast and ground vibration. Since stemming parameters are interrelated, it is crucial that all blasting procedures, including stemming, are executed in accordance with best practice, and recorded accurately. There is a need for digital systems for capturing on-bench blasting parameters, as the currently used manual data recording and reporting systems are inefficient and prone to error. Improvements to blast designs are possible through efficient and accurate data recording and reporting systems.FulltextenAir blastBlastingGround vibrationOpencast miningStemmingArticleMpofu, M., Ngobese, S. S., Maphalala, B., Roberts, D. P., & Khan, S. (2021). The influence of stemming practice on ground vibration and airblast. <i>Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 121</i>, http://hdl.handle.net/10204/12424Mpofu, Mvikel, Sibusiso SG Ngobese, B Maphalala, David P Roberts, and Sumaya Khan "The influence of stemming practice on ground vibration and airblast." <i>Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 121</i> (2021) http://hdl.handle.net/10204/12424Mpofu M, Ngobese SS, Maphalala B, Roberts DP, Khan S. The influence of stemming practice on ground vibration and airblast. Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 121. 2021; http://hdl.handle.net/10204/12424.TY - Article AU - Mpofu, Mvikel AU - Ngobese, Sibusiso SG AU - Maphalala, B AU - Roberts, David P AU - Khan, Sumaya AB - This paper details an assessment of stemming practices at a South African opencast coal mine and their influence on ground vibration and air blast. Quantitative and qualitative analysis methods were used for the study. The parameters assessed for the quantitative analyses included stemming length, stemming material type, blast-hole depth, burden, and spacing. Pre-blast data from the mine was analysed to determine the deviation between actual and mine design stemming parameters. Mine design stemming length was also compared to the rule-of-thumb stemming lengths. Peak particle velocity (ground vibration) and air blast data from seismograph stations around the mine was analysed to determine the correlation between stemming length and excessive ground vibration and air blast. The qualitative analysis involved observations of blasting procedures at the mine to determine compliance with mine procedures. Some level of non-compliance of actual stemming parameters to design stemming parameters was found, which initially suggested that non-compliance may have contributed to excessive air blast. However, further analysis of the seismograph results indicated no direct correlation between stemming length and excessive air blast and ground vibration. Since stemming parameters are interrelated, it is crucial that all blasting procedures, including stemming, are executed in accordance with best practice, and recorded accurately. There is a need for digital systems for capturing on-bench blasting parameters, as the currently used manual data recording and reporting systems are inefficient and prone to error. Improvements to blast designs are possible through efficient and accurate data recording and reporting systems. DA - 2021-01 DB - ResearchSpace DO - 10.17159/2411-9717/1204/2021 DP - CSIR J1 - Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 121 KW - Air blast KW - Blasting KW - Ground vibration KW - Opencast mining KW - Stemming LK - https://researchspace.csir.co.za PY - 2021 SM - 2225-6253 SM - 2411-9717 T1 - The influence of stemming practice on ground vibration and airblast TI - The influence of stemming practice on ground vibration and airblast UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10204/12424 ER -24100