The use of explosives remains the most efficient way to fragment rocks and therefore blasting operations are essential in all large-scale mining, quarrying or civil construction excavations. However, as only a part of the explosive energy is used for the fragmentation and the displacement of the rock-mass, improperly designed blasts may cause undesirable side effects like noise, fly rocks and vibrations or result in inappropriate muck-piles.
This paper presents the current drilling and blasting practices from the Carmeuse’s limestone quarry in Doboj (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and the initiative to introduce new technologies in the field of drilling and blasting preparation.Experiences from other Carmeuse’soperations will give a flavor of our future developments.