Mitigating Environmental Pollution from Rock Blasting in Quarrying Operations

This book examines the environmental impacts of rock blasting in quarrying, focusing on air blast as a primary concern. It analyzes factors contributing to airblast noise, such as explosive charge weight and site topography, and explores flyrock formation influenced by rock type, hole spacing, and initiation sequences. Mitigation strategies are detailed for dust (e.g., water spraying and ventilation), fumes (ventilation and PPE), and ground vibrations (monitoring and design adjustments). The text covers drillhole geometry's role in rock fragmentation, optimizing parameters like diameter and angle for efficiency. Blasthole array designs are evaluated for creating stable blast faces and minimizing impacts, including burden-to-spacing ratios and simulation tools. Geological factors, such as rock strength and jointing, are explained with adaptations for different lithologies to inform blast designs. Safety is prioritized, with recommendations for explosive handling, emergency kits (first-aid, extinguishers, communication devices), activity monitoring, and warning signs to prevent accidents. This guide equips quarry engineers and regulators with insights for sustainable, safe operations.