542-0043/03 – Driving of workings and blasting operations (RPDaTP)

Learning outcomes of the course unit The aim of the subject is to acquaint students with basic principles of mining works mining, basic principles of mining and reinforcing of mine works. The students are also acquainted with the problems of blasting works in the mines, including the basic safety issues during their execution according to the valid regulations for this area. It keeps up with the current trends in the given issue, with a great emphasis on the use of modern technology in compliance with current legislation.

This course provides an overview of modern technologies for tunnelling and shoring in mining, as well as the safe execution of blasting operations both underground and on the surface. Emphasis is placed on the use of modern mechanisation, process optimisation and strict compliance with current mining legislation. The course addresses the needs of future mining engineers (who are responsible for the technology and safety aspects), mine surveyors (who are responsible for the directional control of excavation and the spatial documentation of workings), and post-mining landscape specialists (who assess the long-term stability of underground structures and the seismic or environmental effects of blasting operations). Specialist knowledge: Students will acquire in-depth theoretical knowledge of tunnelling and support technologies for underground works, depending on the various geomechanical conditions of the rock mass. They will master the theory of rock fragmentation and gain detailed familiarity with the properties of industrial explosives, initiation systems and detonators. Furthermore, they will gain a comprehensive overview of current safety legislation and regulations (in particular the decrees of the Czech Mining Authority) relating to the handling of explosives and will understand the principles of minimising the negative impacts of blasting operations on the surrounding environment. Professional skills: The student is able to design a suitable tunnelling method and the appropriate type of mine support based on geological and geomechanical parameters. They are able to apply legislative and technical requirements when planning blasting operations (e.g. drawing up a drilling plan, calculating charges, selecting explosives and detonators) for specific mining, quarrying or construction conditions. They are able to analyse the risks associated with these processes and evaluate the spatial data necessary for mine surveying documentation or the assessment of the stability of excavations. Professional competence: The student is capable of independently, or as part of a multidisciplinary team (comprising a mining engineer, a surveyor and a geotechnical engineer), tackling moderately complex tasks related to the design and execution of tunnel excavation and the use of explosives. They are able to responsibly select safe and effective working procedures in accordance with the latest trends and applicable legislation, communicate competently with state mining authorities, and apply these skills both during the execution of works and when assessing their impact on the future transformation of the post-mining landscape.

Balasubramanian A.: ROCK BLASTING FOR MINING, technical report, Centre for Advanced Studies in Earth Science University of Mysore, April, 2017. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316158230.

semestral project, written work, oral exam