Application of Improved Blasting Techniques in Open Pit Mining for Maximum Productivity: A Case of Oakyam Quarry Limited, Ogun State, Nigeria

Adedara Frank; Peter Kolapo; Nafiu Ogunsola; Prosper Munemo; Abayomi Akinola

doi:doi:10.11648/j.sjee.20221002.11

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Application of Improved Blasting Techniques in Open Pit Mining for Maximum Productivity: A Case of Oakyam Quarry Limited, Ogun State, Nigeria

Adedara Frank, Peter Kolapo, Nafiu Ogunsola, Prosper Munemo, Abayomi Akinola

Published in Science Journal of Energy Engineering (Volume 10, Issue 2)

Received: 6 April 2022 Accepted: 7 May 2022 Published: 24 May 2022

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Abstract

Blasting is an important unit operation in mining and civil engineering projects that is aimed at effective rock fragmentation. However, it is always associated with some harmful and unwanted effects on the surrounding environment and humans, including ground vibration, air blast, flying rock, etc. Open-pit mining is the most widely used means of mineral exploitation in Nigeria, where it has been employed with considerable success, including at Oakyam Quarry. The conventional blasting technique has been applied in the quarry since its inception, with mixed results. Significant challenges associated with blasting, such as ground vibration, air blast, and fly rock occurrences, have been incurred at the quarry owing to the adoption of this conventional method. It is thus important to develop an alternative method to the conventional method to prevent further occurrences of the adverse blasting effects. This paper aims at developing an alternative blasting technique to improve the productivity and safety of lives and properties in proximity to quarry operations. The newly developed method, termed an alternative blasting technique, entails the replacement of delay-relays with electric detonators for blast sequencing, replacing laterite with 16mm granite chips for stemming, and adopting deck charging. The alternative method was tested and compared with the conventional methods adopted over the years by Oakyam Quarry. The technique recorded a higher degree of fragmentation with minimal air blast, ground vibration, and flying rocks. Likewise, a good muck-pile with a 14–16% reduction in explosive consumption was achieved, thereby increasing the profitability of the quarry operations. The newly developed blasting technique is proposed and recommended for adoption by engineers and blasters in various fields and aspects of blasting.

Published in	Science Journal of Energy Engineering (Volume 10, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.sjee.20221002.11
Page(s)	12-23
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Blasting, Fragmentation, Ground Vibration, Fly Rock, Explosive

References

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APA Style

Adedara Frank, Peter Kolapo, Nafiu Ogunsola, Prosper Munemo, Abayomi Akinola. (2022). Application of Improved Blasting Techniques in Open Pit Mining for Maximum Productivity: A Case of Oakyam Quarry Limited, Ogun State, Nigeria. Science Journal of Energy Engineering, 10(2), 12-23. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjee.20221002.11

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ACS Style

Adedara Frank; Peter Kolapo; Nafiu Ogunsola; Prosper Munemo; Abayomi Akinola. Application of Improved Blasting Techniques in Open Pit Mining for Maximum Productivity: A Case of Oakyam Quarry Limited, Ogun State, Nigeria. Sci. J. Energy Eng. 2022, 10(2), 12-23. doi: 10.11648/j.sjee.20221002.11

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AMA Style

Adedara Frank, Peter Kolapo, Nafiu Ogunsola, Prosper Munemo, Abayomi Akinola. Application of Improved Blasting Techniques in Open Pit Mining for Maximum Productivity: A Case of Oakyam Quarry Limited, Ogun State, Nigeria. Sci J Energy Eng. 2022;10(2):12-23. doi: 10.11648/j.sjee.20221002.11

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@article{10.11648/j.sjee.20221002.11,
  author = {Adedara Frank and Peter Kolapo and Nafiu Ogunsola and Prosper Munemo and Abayomi Akinola},
  title = {Application of Improved Blasting Techniques in Open Pit Mining for Maximum Productivity: A Case of Oakyam Quarry Limited, Ogun State, Nigeria},
  journal = {Science Journal of Energy Engineering},
  volume = {10},
  number = {2},
  pages = {12-23},
  doi = {10.11648/j.sjee.20221002.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjee.20221002.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjee.20221002.11},
  abstract = {Blasting is an important unit operation in mining and civil engineering projects that is aimed at effective rock fragmentation. However, it is always associated with some harmful and unwanted effects on the surrounding environment and humans, including ground vibration, air blast, flying rock, etc. Open-pit mining is the most widely used means of mineral exploitation in Nigeria, where it has been employed with considerable success, including at Oakyam Quarry. The conventional blasting technique has been applied in the quarry since its inception, with mixed results. Significant challenges associated with blasting, such as ground vibration, air blast, and fly rock occurrences, have been incurred at the quarry owing to the adoption of this conventional method. It is thus important to develop an alternative method to the conventional method to prevent further occurrences of the adverse blasting effects. This paper aims at developing an alternative blasting technique to improve the productivity and safety of lives and properties in proximity to quarry operations. The newly developed method, termed an alternative blasting technique, entails the replacement of delay-relays with electric detonators for blast sequencing, replacing laterite with 16mm granite chips for stemming, and adopting deck charging. The alternative method was tested and compared with the conventional methods adopted over the years by Oakyam Quarry. The technique recorded a higher degree of fragmentation with minimal air blast, ground vibration, and flying rocks. Likewise, a good muck-pile with a 14–16% reduction in explosive consumption was achieved, thereby increasing the profitability of the quarry operations. The newly developed blasting technique is proposed and recommended for adoption by engineers and blasters in various fields and aspects of blasting.},
 year = {2022}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Application of Improved Blasting Techniques in Open Pit Mining for Maximum Productivity: A Case of Oakyam Quarry Limited, Ogun State, Nigeria
AU  - Adedara Frank
AU  - Peter Kolapo
AU  - Nafiu Ogunsola
AU  - Prosper Munemo
AU  - Abayomi Akinola
Y1  - 2022/05/24
PY  - 2022
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjee.20221002.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.sjee.20221002.11
T2  - Science Journal of Energy Engineering
JF  - Science Journal of Energy Engineering
JO  - Science Journal of Energy Engineering
SP  - 12
EP  - 23
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2376-8126
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjee.20221002.11
AB  - Blasting is an important unit operation in mining and civil engineering projects that is aimed at effective rock fragmentation. However, it is always associated with some harmful and unwanted effects on the surrounding environment and humans, including ground vibration, air blast, flying rock, etc. Open-pit mining is the most widely used means of mineral exploitation in Nigeria, where it has been employed with considerable success, including at Oakyam Quarry. The conventional blasting technique has been applied in the quarry since its inception, with mixed results. Significant challenges associated with blasting, such as ground vibration, air blast, and fly rock occurrences, have been incurred at the quarry owing to the adoption of this conventional method. It is thus important to develop an alternative method to the conventional method to prevent further occurrences of the adverse blasting effects. This paper aims at developing an alternative blasting technique to improve the productivity and safety of lives and properties in proximity to quarry operations. The newly developed method, termed an alternative blasting technique, entails the replacement of delay-relays with electric detonators for blast sequencing, replacing laterite with 16mm granite chips for stemming, and adopting deck charging. The alternative method was tested and compared with the conventional methods adopted over the years by Oakyam Quarry. The technique recorded a higher degree of fragmentation with minimal air blast, ground vibration, and flying rocks. Likewise, a good muck-pile with a 14–16% reduction in explosive consumption was achieved, thereby increasing the profitability of the quarry operations. The newly developed blasting technique is proposed and recommended for adoption by engineers and blasters in various fields and aspects of blasting.
VL  - 10
IS  - 2
ER  -

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Author Information

Adedara Frank

Oakyam Quarry Limited, Gogoro, Nigeria
Peter Kolapo

Department of Mining Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington, United States of America
Nafiu Ogunsola

Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Engineering, College of Engineering, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju-si, South Korea
Prosper Munemo

Department of Mining and Mineral Processing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences, Mutare, Zimbabwe
Abayomi Akinola

Department of Mining Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria

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Adedara Frank, Peter Kolapo, Nafiu Ogunsola, Prosper Munemo, Abayomi Akinola. (2022). Application of Improved Blasting Techniques in Open Pit Mining for Maximum Productivity: A Case of Oakyam Quarry Limited, Ogun State, Nigeria. Science Journal of Energy Engineering, 10(2), 12-23. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjee.20221002.11

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ACS Style

Adedara Frank; Peter Kolapo; Nafiu Ogunsola; Prosper Munemo; Abayomi Akinola. Application of Improved Blasting Techniques in Open Pit Mining for Maximum Productivity: A Case of Oakyam Quarry Limited, Ogun State, Nigeria. Sci. J. Energy Eng. 2022, 10(2), 12-23. doi: 10.11648/j.sjee.20221002.11

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AMA Style

Adedara Frank, Peter Kolapo, Nafiu Ogunsola, Prosper Munemo, Abayomi Akinola. Application of Improved Blasting Techniques in Open Pit Mining for Maximum Productivity: A Case of Oakyam Quarry Limited, Ogun State, Nigeria. Sci J Energy Eng. 2022;10(2):12-23. doi: 10.11648/j.sjee.20221002.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.sjee.20221002.11,
  author = {Adedara Frank and Peter Kolapo and Nafiu Ogunsola and Prosper Munemo and Abayomi Akinola},
  title = {Application of Improved Blasting Techniques in Open Pit Mining for Maximum Productivity: A Case of Oakyam Quarry Limited, Ogun State, Nigeria},
  journal = {Science Journal of Energy Engineering},
  volume = {10},
  number = {2},
  pages = {12-23},
  doi = {10.11648/j.sjee.20221002.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjee.20221002.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjee.20221002.11},
  abstract = {Blasting is an important unit operation in mining and civil engineering projects that is aimed at effective rock fragmentation. However, it is always associated with some harmful and unwanted effects on the surrounding environment and humans, including ground vibration, air blast, flying rock, etc. Open-pit mining is the most widely used means of mineral exploitation in Nigeria, where it has been employed with considerable success, including at Oakyam Quarry. The conventional blasting technique has been applied in the quarry since its inception, with mixed results. Significant challenges associated with blasting, such as ground vibration, air blast, and fly rock occurrences, have been incurred at the quarry owing to the adoption of this conventional method. It is thus important to develop an alternative method to the conventional method to prevent further occurrences of the adverse blasting effects. This paper aims at developing an alternative blasting technique to improve the productivity and safety of lives and properties in proximity to quarry operations. The newly developed method, termed an alternative blasting technique, entails the replacement of delay-relays with electric detonators for blast sequencing, replacing laterite with 16mm granite chips for stemming, and adopting deck charging. The alternative method was tested and compared with the conventional methods adopted over the years by Oakyam Quarry. The technique recorded a higher degree of fragmentation with minimal air blast, ground vibration, and flying rocks. Likewise, a good muck-pile with a 14–16% reduction in explosive consumption was achieved, thereby increasing the profitability of the quarry operations. The newly developed blasting technique is proposed and recommended for adoption by engineers and blasters in various fields and aspects of blasting.},
 year = {2022}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Application of Improved Blasting Techniques in Open Pit Mining for Maximum Productivity: A Case of Oakyam Quarry Limited, Ogun State, Nigeria
AU  - Adedara Frank
AU  - Peter Kolapo
AU  - Nafiu Ogunsola
AU  - Prosper Munemo
AU  - Abayomi Akinola
Y1  - 2022/05/24
PY  - 2022
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjee.20221002.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.sjee.20221002.11
T2  - Science Journal of Energy Engineering
JF  - Science Journal of Energy Engineering
JO  - Science Journal of Energy Engineering
SP  - 12
EP  - 23
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2376-8126
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjee.20221002.11
AB  - Blasting is an important unit operation in mining and civil engineering projects that is aimed at effective rock fragmentation. However, it is always associated with some harmful and unwanted effects on the surrounding environment and humans, including ground vibration, air blast, flying rock, etc. Open-pit mining is the most widely used means of mineral exploitation in Nigeria, where it has been employed with considerable success, including at Oakyam Quarry. The conventional blasting technique has been applied in the quarry since its inception, with mixed results. Significant challenges associated with blasting, such as ground vibration, air blast, and fly rock occurrences, have been incurred at the quarry owing to the adoption of this conventional method. It is thus important to develop an alternative method to the conventional method to prevent further occurrences of the adverse blasting effects. This paper aims at developing an alternative blasting technique to improve the productivity and safety of lives and properties in proximity to quarry operations. The newly developed method, termed an alternative blasting technique, entails the replacement of delay-relays with electric detonators for blast sequencing, replacing laterite with 16mm granite chips for stemming, and adopting deck charging. The alternative method was tested and compared with the conventional methods adopted over the years by Oakyam Quarry. The technique recorded a higher degree of fragmentation with minimal air blast, ground vibration, and flying rocks. Likewise, a good muck-pile with a 14–16% reduction in explosive consumption was achieved, thereby increasing the profitability of the quarry operations. The newly developed blasting technique is proposed and recommended for adoption by engineers and blasters in various fields and aspects of blasting.
VL  - 10
IS  - 2
ER  -

Copy | Download