Economic evaluation of drilling and blasting on the dragline dig-ability

Abstract

Landau Colliery is one of Anglo Thermal Coal’s mines that want to investigate the economic impact of both the drilling and blasting process on the overburden removal process (Dragline), they want to know how the drilling process, blasting process and the earth removal process economically affect the mine. The project is based at Kromdraai opencast, one of the mine’s sections which is situated in Witbank. The project is done in order to improve productivity and the cost incurred on both processes, since the mine is spending more cash on the three processes where as the productivity does not improve. The mine considered making investments on both processes; however the project analysis will assist the company to make a decision, as to which process to invest in. During the investigation factors affecting each of the three processes will be considered in order to determine the root cause of the problems. Factors such as spacing, drill hole diameter, bench height, explosive amount, rock density etc will be considered during the analysis. Statistical and cost analysis will be used as the tools to solve the productivity and cost problems experienced at Landau Colliery. Statistical analysis will be done on accuracy, fragmentation, and dig-ability and cost analysis on the ground engagement tools. The solutions to the problems will be developed with the help of the studies that were done by other authors and by the company on fragmentation, accuracy, and dig-ability.