Relationship between powder factor and rock strength for optimum fragmentation

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Date
2019-07
Authors
Ahmad Nabil Bin Abd Jalil
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Abstract
Blasting is the first step of comminution in the quarrying industry. The efficiency of downstream operations and cost are influenced by it. Thus, it is important to get the best fragmentation. Rock fragmentation is considered a vital outcome in the quarrying industry because it affects the efficiency of downstream operations and cost. Rock fragmentation can be depended on controllable factors and uncontrollable factors. For example, powder factor and blast design are the two factors that can be controlled. Meanwhile, rock strength is one of the uncontrollable factors. Next, image analysis is a useful tool for measuring blast fragmentation and thus validating the relationship powder factor and rock strength on fragmentation. WipFrag software is used to assess rock fragmentation in this study. Results are tabulated in size distribution graphs. Evaluation of powder factor through blast design and rock strength by point load test are done to find its relationship. Stiffness ratio is also evaluated from the blast designs. Indirect analysis of cycle time serves as a key performance indicator for the assessment of fragmentation. In this project, powder factor and rock strength have an influence on the blast outcome of fragmentation.
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