METHOD STATEMENT FOR ROCK BLASTING

Prepared By:
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Senior Mining Engineer
BSc Eng. (Hons.), AMIESL

CONTENTS

1. Introduction and General Information.....................................................................1

1.1. Location of Works..................................................................................................1

1.2. Inspection and Joint Survey....................................................................................1

2. Materials...........................................................................................................................1
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3. Equipment....................................................................................................................... 1

4. Safety Management and Control................................................................................2

4.1. Safety Embankment................................................................................................2

4.2. Control of Fly Rock................................................................................................2
4.3. Warning Procedure to the Resident, Workers and Any Other Parties................2

5. Method and Procedures................................................................................................2

5.1. Boulders Blasting...................................................................................................3

5.2. Control Bench Cut Blasting....................................................................................6
5.3.... Blasting for Drains..................................................................................................6
5.4. Common way of hole charging and initiation.........................................................6

6. Monitoring Work............................................................................................................8

6.1. Present Condition of Structures Around the Blasting Site......................................8

7. Quality Control...............................................................................................................8

8. Measurement Control....................................................................................................8

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Cross Section and Sequence of Blasting........................................................5

Figure 2: Drilling & blasting pattern for Bench Blast ..................................................6
Figure 3: Drilling & blasting pattern for Drain blast.....................................................6

Appendixes

Appendix A
Flow Chart 01 - Warning Procedure
Flow Chart 02 - Rock Blasting Process

Appendix B
Drawing - Safety Embankment
Drawing - Covering Procedure
Drawing - Drilling Direction
Drawing - Circuit Connection

Appendix C
Formats

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1. Introduction and General Information

This method statement provides the details of the materials, equipment, procedures
and relevant documents related to the Rock Blasting activity, including the quality
control verifications, the measurement verifications, and also the safety precautions to
be implemented for this work.

1.1. Location of Works

The location of the rock blasting works will be limited to selected areas bound
within the Right of Way (ROW), approved by the Engineer.

1.2. Inspection and Joint Survey

Before the commencement of work a request will be made to the Engineer to

conduct a joint survey and measurements of the rock which is to be blasted.

2. Materials

The major materials used for the rock blasting works include (but are not limited to
the following).
Explosive
Water Gel / Dynamite
Electric Detonators
Ammonium Nitrate

Other
Barricade Tapes
Warning Boards
Flags
Tires, steel plates, Geo Textiles, Rubber Mats and Sand bags

3. Equipment

The major equipment used for rock drilling, blasting and cleaning works includes (but
are not limited to the following).
Hand Drill Hammers

1
 Air Compressor
Set of Speakers
Megaphones
Circuit tester
Exploder
Tamping rod
Siren
Other minor tools
Excavator
Breaker

4. Safety Management and Control

4.1. Safety Embankment

Safety embankments will be constructed in all locations where there is a need to

protect houses or property located outside the rock boundary, downhill from the
construction activity and potentially threatened by the works. The safety
embankment will consist of soil and small boulders. It will be located at the
suitable location with the enough height and width. To be instructed by the
client/consultant as an additional work. (Appendix B Fig. 01)

4.2. Control of Fly Rock

In the areas where the fly rock needs to be controlled, the charged boulders
and benches will be covered using a Wire Mesh, Geo-Textile, Steel Plates,
Soil, Used Tires, Sand Bags and Rubber Mats. (Appendix B Fig. 02)
Drilling direction will be selected in accordance to avoid Fly Rock flying on to
houses.

4.3. Warning Procedure to the Resident, Workers and Any Other Parties
(Refer Appendix A Flowchart 01)

5. Methodology

General

The drilling pattern, hole diameter, charge concentration etc., given herein are
subject to change depending on the properties and geological formation of the
rock at the location.

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Before the commencement of the work, the Engineer will be notified of the areas
where rock will be blasted. Accordingly, the Engineer will inspect the area for
approval or conformation. Drilling will commence only after the rock survey in order
to determine the locations and drilling depths required.

Blasting will be executed in accordance with existing laws and regulations in Sri
Lanka. Relevant permissions will be obtained from the designated authorities before
work start. Following permit will be obtained for whole road before commencement
of Rock blasting.

Explosive user Permit issued by the Assistant Controller of Explosives Mathale.

Explosive user Permit issued by the Assistant Controller of Explosives Kandy.

Explosive handling activities will follow according to Explosives Act No.21of

Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka and to its latest amendments. Approval from the
authorities will be obtained for storage of explosives.

All blasting operations will be carried out under close supervision of the authorize site
staff. Only competent persons who have experience and knowledge in handling
explosives will be appointed to take charge of the blasting operations at each blasting
location. Explosives will not to be taken to the work site until they are to be used.
Firing of the blast will only be carried out in the presence of the Engineers
representatives. All blasting will be limited to daytime.

The blasting methods are described below.

5.1 Boulder Blasting

Boulders, which cant be moved by Loader or cannot be broken down by giant

breaker, will only be blasted. Movable boulders will be collected to a safe place
for blasting.

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 5.2 Control Bench Cut Blasting

Drilling

Hammer drill will be used for drilling the Benches within the edge. The entire
bench depth will be limited to the depth of 3m and will be blasted at one time.

Blast hole diameter 36 to 40mm

Drilling depth 1 to 3m
Drilling Plane Vertical & parallel to CL of the road
Specific Drilling 2 m / m
Burden and Spacing 1.1 to 1.3m

Charging

Specific charge will be 0.29kg / m (Dynamite/water gel 125g/hole and 1.2kg of

ANFO). We anticipate charge a maximum of 15 blast holes per time with 10 delay
numbers.

Firing Time and Number of Blasts

Maximum 10 Nos of blast will be fired in a day.

Blasting will be set to lunch time as much as possible.
Only one blasting location will be done in a day.

5.3 Blasting for Drains

Drilling

Hammer drill will be used for drilling for the Drains. The required depth will
be decided according to the depth of Drain.

Blast hole diameter 36 to 40mm

Drilling depth 0.5 m to 1 m
Drilling Plane Vertical & parallel to CL of the road
Specific Drilling 3 m / m
Burden and Spacing 0.4 m to 1 m

Charging
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Specific charge will be 0.33 kg / m (Dynamite/water gel 62.5g/hole and 50g of
ANFO). We anticipate charge a maximum of 10 blast holes per time with 10 delay
numbers.

Firing Time and Number of Blasts

Maximum 10 Nos of blast will be fired in a day.

Blasting will be set to lunch time as much as possible.
Only one blasting location will be done in a day.

5.4 Common way of hole charging and initiation

The Detonator coupled Dynamite/Water Gel piece with a long Ignite Cord
or leg wire will be carefully inserted down to the bottom of the hole.
Measured amount of ANFO will be then added.

Subsequently, the rest of the hole will gradually be filled with quarry dust
(particles not larger than 5mm) and slightly tamped with a lightweight
timber or PVC pipe.
Protections will be introduced to control fly rock when required.
All leg wires are series connected and will be fired using an exploder.

Remove Boulders
2. Remove Overburden

Over Burden

3. Bench Blasting
Exposed Rock

Rock Area

Figure 1: Cross Section and Sequence of Blasting

Rock face

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 6 3 1 2 5

S 1.1 m
B 1.0 m
9 4 8 10
7

Figure 2: Drilling & Blasting pattern for Bench Cut

2 3

5 6
7
8 9

Figure 3: Drilling & Blasting pattern for Drain blast

6. Monitoring Work

Will be carried out by Qualified Mining Engineer to prevent / reduce below effects
in every blast.
Ground vibration level
Fly rocks
Air blast levels
And these effects will be monitored with authorized team (GSMB Monitoring
Team) where necessary.

6.1. Present Condition of Structures Around the Blasting Site

A crack survey will be carried out to record the present structural condition around the
blasting site. The crack survey report will be submitted to the RDA before starting the
blasting activities.

(Refer Appendix C the format Record for prior condition of houses around
the site)

7. Quality Control
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Several inspections and verifications and regular site visits will be carried out by an
expert blasting Engineer to ensure that the steps and the procedure are fully complied
with this.

8. Measurement Control

After fully cleaning the rock area, a joint survey will be done to estimate the rock
volume. Then regular survey will be done in every week to check the line and length
of the location. These results will be used for the payments and analyzing procedures
in the company.

End