20230918_11-Blast_Plan

The Quartz Corporation Olerud Mine
Site Blast Program and Plan
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Introduction:
To assure a safe and economical blast all applicable federal,state,and local regulations will be followed. Good
acceptable practices from non-regulatory agencies,such as Institute Makers of Explosives(IME), International Society of
Explosives Engineers(ISEE)will be followed.
This blast program and plan is to aid in assuring the security of explosives material where stored,transported, handled,
and used as well as the control of the blast process from design to initiation,evaluation and in handling of any
premature or misfire condition. A blast program and plan,when followed,will also aid in the assurance of safety to the
public, site personnel and surrounding properties.
As with any job, it is imperative to have a plan of action and to follow that plan. Ninety percent of a job's success or
failure is attributable to prior planning. Proper blast planning can enhance safety by eliminating many hazards. A
blaster can calculate the elements of a blast to assure a safe and productive shot before putting any explosive in the
ground. A plan can help increase production and safety by allowing the blaster to see on paper what the shot is planned
to do, and consequently, by allowing the blaster to make necessary adjustments where needed. In North Carolina the
Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources requires mines and quarries to have an approved blast plan
prior to being issued a mining permit. Proper calculations for burden, spacing, borehole depth and size,timing between
holes and rows and pounds of explosive per delay, along with proper scale distance calculations, can help eliminate
excess vibration,air blast and flyrock.
Regulatory requirements:
• Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Fire Arms
• 30 CFR part 56 Mandatory Health and Safety Standards
• North Carolina Administrative Code,Chapter 6
• If explosives are transported on a public highway the 49 CFR requirements will apply
• Persons engaged in drilling or blasting activities on mine property must meet the MSHA requirement for
obtaining a mine contractor identification number and where applicable, appropriate training plan and other
programs required.
• North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources permitting requirements for blasting apply
on all mine properties.
Definitions:
• Airblast: The airborne shock wave or acoustic transient generated by an explosion.
• Attended—Presence of an individual or continuous monitoring to prevent unauthorized access or entry.
\Wool/ • Blast: The firing of explosive materials for such purposes as breaking rock or other material,or generating
seismic waves.
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• Blast area—The area in which concussion, flying materials,or gases may cause injury to persons. The blaster in
charge establishes the blast area by using sound practices established by the ISEE and IME and/or any regulatory
requirement. When regulatory means are mandated and must be used for establishing the blast area the most
stringent requirement will apply.
• Blasthole: A hole drilled into material to be blasted, for the purpose of containing an explosive charge,also
called borehole or drill hole.
• Blast Pattern: The plan of the drill holes as laid out for blasting;an expression of the burden distance and the
spacing distance and their relationship to each other.
• Blast site: The area where explosive material is handled during loading of blastholes, including SO feet in all
directions from the perimeter formed by loaded holes. This distance shall apply in all directions along the full
depth of the blasthole.
• Blaster or Blaster in charge: That qualified person in charge of,and responsible for,the loading and firing of a
blast. Sometimes referred to as a shot firer. Though more than one blaster can be part of a blast crew,there
can be only one blaster in charge for each blast site.
• Blast crew: A group of persons under the direction of the blaster in charge,and are properly trained meeting all
regulatory requirements necessary for handling explosives or related material,who assist the blaster in charge
in loading and firing a blast.
• Blast log: A written record of information about a specific blast,and materials used,as may be required by law
or regulation. Sometimes referred to as a blast report.
• Blasting machine: A proper device,as determined by the detonator manufacturer,to generate the proper
energy source to initiate the detonating sequence to fire the blast.
• Burden: The distance from the blasthole and the nearest free face or the distance between blastholes measured
perpendicular. Also the total amount of material to be blasted by a given hole.
• Charged: A blasthole (borehole)containing a primer and explosive material awaiting firing.
• Coupling: The degree to which art explosive material fills the cross section of a blasthole.
• Detonator: Any device containing an initiating or primary explosive that is used for initiation detonation in
another explosive material.
• Drill log: A written record of information about a specific borehole,or blast pattern. The record shall contain
the minimum information; hole depth, hole diameter,dimensions for the burden and spacing, number of holes
in a row and the number of rows in the blast pattern,any hole anomaly referenced by a measurement; such as
broken material,change in geology,water, cracks and or crevices,etc.and any other information the blaster in
charge may need from the driller.
• Flyrock: Rocks propelled from the blast area by the force of an explosion.
• Free face: A surface exposed which provides room for expansion and movement of the burden being blasted.
• Ground vibration: Shaking the ground by elastic waves emanating from a blast; usually measured in inches per
second of particle velocity.
• Loading: Placing explosive material in a blasthole or against material to be blasted.
• Misfire: A blast or a specific borehole to be blasted,or explosive material that failed to detonate as planned.
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• Primer: A unit, package or cartridge or explosives used to initiate other explosives or blasting agents, and which
contains: A detonator or detonating device.
• Spacing: The distance between blastholes. Usually measured parallel to the free face and perpendicular to the
burden.
• Other definitions can be found in the Glossary of the ISEE Blasters' Handbook.
Personnel:
Personnel designated to handle explosive materials should have intelligence and common sense and be trained in the
use of explosives and materials to be used in each blast. They must understand the possible consequences of errors or
omissions in their actions.
• Blaster in Charge: A person competent in storing,transporting, use and handling of explosives will be
designated 'blaster in charge' by the mine operator. Each blast will have only one blaster in charge. All others
used on the blast site will work under the direction of the blaster in charge. The blaster in charge will have a
working knowledge of all federal, state,and local laws and regulations relative to explosives and blasting. The
blaster in charge will also be familiar with good acceptable practices set forth by the IME and ISEE. It is the
responsibility of the mine operator to verify the competency of the blaster in charge.
• Certification of blaster in charge: At this time no mandatory license or certifications are required for anyone
engaging in the act of blasting in the state of North Carolina. It is the responsibility of the blaster to comply with
any license or certifications required by local jurisdictions or any future requirements by federal,state,or local
governments. It is highly recommended that formal training and experience be the minimum requirements for
a person deemed competent to direct blasting operations and related activities. Anyone receiving, handling or
using explosives must comply with the BATF requirements.
• Blast crew: A group of persons under the direction of the blaster in charge,and are properly trained meeting all
regulatory requirements necessary for handling explosives or related material,who assist the blaster in charge
in loading and firing a blast.
• Training: All persons on mine property must obtain the proper comprehensive training set forth in 30 CFR part
46 or part 48. Any person designated as part of the blast crew or magazine security must have training in all
rules and regulations including company policy and company safety program relative to blast site security,
magazine security, proper storage and explosive handling,transportation of explosives, hazard recognition,
accident prevention,task training,ground control,working around high walls,and any other deemed necessary
by the mine operator.
• Safety meetings: Each blaster in charge will hold a safety meeting prior to commencing blasting or related
activities with the blast crew to discuss the health and safety concerns of the assigned tasks,details of the
procedures to assure the safety of the blast crew throughout the security, handling, loading,firing, and post
blast examination along with other information deemed necessary by the blaster in charge.
Equipment and Materials:
The explosive materials and equipment used have a direct effect on the safety of the operation. All members of the
blast crew must be familiar with the equipment and be thoroughly task trained prior to use.
• Equipment: Proper procedures for inspection of self propelled mobile equipment, machinery,equipment and
tools set forth in 30 CFR part 56.14100 will be followed. These procedures will be followed prior to bringing
them onto the blast site.
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• Material: All material to be used on a blasting operation must be designed for the specifics of the blast and used
in accordance with all applicable regulations and manufacturers recommendations. This includes the explosives
material and detonators to be loaded into a blasthole and all tools and equipment used in the blasting
operation.
Procedures:
Storage: Explosives and detonators must be stored and secured in accordance with the BATF 27 CFR part 555
requirements. No unauthorized entry into a storage area is allowed. Explosives awaiting loading at the blast site will be
secured or physically guarded. No smoking or use of open flames or spark producing device will be allowed, as a
minimum,within 50 feet of storage facilities or guarded explosives. Each storage facility will be properly posted.
• Separation: Explosive material and detonators or detonating device will be kept separated and will never be
stored in the same magazine.
• Area around storage: Areas around storage facilities will be kept clear of rubbish, brush,dry grass,and live trees
not over 10 feet tall for 25 feet in all directions.
• Day boxes: Shall be structurally sound,weather resistant,equipped with a lid or cover,and with only
nonsparking materials inside. Day boxes will have appropriate markings,and labeling. They will be located
outside the blast area once loading has been completed. Day boxes will be kept locked and secured or attended
when containing explosive material and emptied at the end of the shift with contents being stored in an
appropriate storage facility or attended at all times. Detonators shall be kept in a separate day box unless an
IME 22 container is used.
Transporting: Explosive will be transported from the storage facility to the blast site without undue delay. Vehicles used
to transport explosive materials will be sound and be in compliance with applicable standards for self propelled mobile
equipment and if transporting on the public highway,all 49 CFR requirements will be followed. This includes
establishing transportation plans for route management and security.
• Drivers and authorized passengers: Only person qualified to operate mobile equipment(on or off highway)will
be allowed to operate a vehicle containing explosive material. Any driver transporting explosive material on the
public highway will meet all DMV and DOT requirements for transporting explosive material. Passengers
authorized to ride in the passenger compartment will be part of the blast crew or an authorized driver. No one
will ride in the cargo area of an explosive transport vehicle. The driver or any authorized passenger will not
smoke while driving,riding in,or within 50 feet of,the explosive transport vehicle.
• Vehicle: Vehicles carrying explosives on the public highway will meet all DMV requirements for vehicle use on
the public highway. The vehicle will have sides and enclosures higher than the explosives being transported.
Explosive material will be transported in the cargo area of the vehicle and secured from movement. The area
containing explosives will have no extraneous material or spark producing material. The explosive vehicle will
be equipped with at least 2 each 2A10BC rated fire extinguishers readily accessible and serviceable. When
parked,the vehicle will have the brake set and wheels chocked and engine stopped unless the engine is
powering a loading device.
• Transporting by hand: Closed, nonconductive containers will be used to transport explosives by hand to and
from the blastsite. At no time will explosive material and detonators or detonating device be hand carried in the
same container.
• Security of explosive material: Explosives will be transported in approved containers and will be attended at all
times unless the cargo area is locked.
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Use: To complete a safe blast,everyone involved must be committed to safe work practices and see that every step
of the operation is done in a manner which uses the correct methods and procedures. Shortcuts and carelessness is
never an option on a blast site.
�.,d • Review drill log: Prior to explosives being brought to the blast site the blaster in charge will review the drill log
and address any needs for corrections that would be necessary to assure a proper blast pattern and safe firing of
the explosives. This will be accomplished prior to the explosives being brought to the site.
Blast log(report): The information on the blast log should paint a picture of the blast that would stand in a court of law.
The blast log is a required document for every shot no matter the amount of explosive material used. The minimum
information shall be:
• Date,
• Time of blast,
• Blast site location,
• Location of all blastholes in relation to each other and the free face as well as directional movement of the total
burden in relation to geographical north(graphical representation),
• Weather at the time of blast,
• Distance and direction to the nearest inhabited off site structure, scale distance information used to calculate
amount of explosive fired within an 8 millisecond delay period,
• Seismograph information,
• Type of material blasted,
• Blast design (number of holes in a shot, burden spacing, depth, length and type of stemming,type of delay used,
initiation method,explosives used in the shot and total weight of explosives to include the primer),
• Powder factor,
• Blaster's name and signature,and
• Any unusual circumstances relative to the shot such as water in the blasthole or excess delay in firing.
• A graph of the shot pattern should be drawn to include the timing of each blasthole, delays within each
blasthole, placement of primer within the blasthole, any stemming used in the blasthole for decking purpose,
and stemming height used to cap each blasthole.
Survey the area: Before explosives are brought to the site,a check of the conditions at the blast site shall be conducted.
The high wall and ground conditions that pose any hazard must be addressed and taken care of prior to proceeding with
the blasting operation. At no time will a blast be loaded during the approach of an electrical,snow,or sand storm. If at
any time a storm approaches the blast area,all persons will be removed from the blast area and proper safe guards put
in place. The area will be properly posted and guarded until after the approaching storm. The explosive laden vehicle
will remain in the blast area and not used to transport persons from the area during the approach of such storm.
�d Eliminate extraneous electricity sources: Watch for over head power lines, RF energy sources,approaching
electrical storms, blowing snow or sand and address those hazards in accordance with applicable regulations.
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• Explosive material and detonators must be kept separated at all times until loading of the blasthole begins.
• Security: Survey and determine all approaches to the blast area and properly provide safeguards. Remove
personnel not needed for the blasting operation from the area and to a safe location. Properly post the blast
site to warn others of the dangers.
• Extraneous material: Remove all unnecessary equipment,tools, etc. not required for the blasting operation to a
safe location. Drilling shall not be done within the blast site.
Borehole preparation: Check all boreholes prior to commencing loading the shot to assure proper depth and
contiguousness. A blasthole is never loaded immediately after drilling. The blaster must make assurances that the
temperature in the blasthole is less than 1.50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Priming charge(primer): Primers are made only at the time of placing them within the blasthole.
• Preparing the primer: The detonator will be placed into the center of the explosive to be used.
• Securing: The detonator will be securely fastened to the explosive material so that it will not be pulled from the
explosive material when lowered into the blasthole.
• Priming charge location in the blasthole: The priming charge should be located in the blasthole pointing in the
direction of initiation.
• Coupling: The blaster in charge must assure that when loading explosive material on and around the priming
charge blasthole coupling is maintained.
Loading: Once the primer is in place,the remaining explosive column is loaded. Care must be taken to not damage leg
wires, tubes,and cords during the loading process and that the primer is securely anchored. The primer shall never be
subjected to forces such as dropping heavy cartridges on top of or tamping directly on the primer.
• Charging: Holes shall be loaded starting at the free face.
• Depth of charge: The blaster will assure the proper depth of the explosive charge as determined by the blast
design. The explosive column shall be measured continuously if bulk explosives are used.
• Stemming: Once the blasthole is loaded a stemming column is placed on top of the explosives to seal the
explosive column. The type of and depth of stemming will be determined by the blast design.
• Charged: Once a hole is loaded it is considered charged and ready for firing. Equipment is never driven over or
placed on a charged blasthole.
Connecting the shot: After all blasholes are charged,the detonators must be connected to form a circuit. Only persons
necessary for connecting the shot will remain in the blast area. It is the responsibility of the blaster in charge to assure
all detonators are properly connected as indicated by the blast design.
• Electrical initiation: Only proper equipment will be used to check an electrical initiation system. Regulatory and
detonator manufacturer requirements for checking electrical initiation systems will be followed.
• Non electrical initiation: The blaster in charge will walk the shot and visually check all connections.
Seismograph set up: A competent person must perform a preblast survey at the nearest,offsite, inhabited dwelling,as a
minimum prior to a blast event. A postblast survey should follow. Any complaints from the community will be
investigated immediately by the blaster in charge. A competent person must properly setup and operate a seismograph
for each blast. A seismograph is used to monitor, record,analyze, and display ground vibrations and airblast resulting l�1
from a blast. The seismic wave is measured from one point to another. The information gathered from a seismograph
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reading can aid the blaster in determining whether the explosive energy was used to do the work as designed. Excess
airblast and ground vibrations can be a nuisance to offsite persons resulting in complaints. In rare events damage to
structures can result from excess ground vibration and airblast.
`..� • Seismograph: Must be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer recommendations
• Setup: In most cases a seismograph is setup at the nearest offsite and inhabited dwelling. Follow the
manufacturer's recommendations for proper set up.
• Qualifications of operator: The operator of the seismograph must be properly tasked trained in the use of the
seismograph unit and familiar with the manufacturer's operating procedures.
Firing: After loading and checking the initiation system,the blast shall be fired as soon as safely possible.
• Blast area security: Flyrock is one of the three leading causes of injury and death relative to a blast. The blaster
in charge must assure the blast area is sufficient,clear of persons,and all approaches are properly posted and
guarded.
• Blaster protection:, The blaster in charge must assure the one qualified to fire the shot has adequate protection
(shelter)from all energy sources related to the blast.
• Audible warning: An audible warning must be given prior to firing. The warning signals will be posted in
conspicuous places for all in,or near,the blast area to familiarize themselves with the warning. The audible
warning must be distinguishable and heard above the surrounding noise level. Car horns are not to be used as
an audible warning. Hand signals can be used in conjunction with an audible warning. All people within the
vicinity of the blast area must be familiar with the warning signals prior to firing the shot. The audible signal
shall consist of a minimum of: A five minute warning prior to the blast signal;A blast signal containing a series of
short sounds 1 minute prior to firing;An all clear signal of a prolonged sound, initiated by the blaster in charge,
lmftwl following the post blast examination of the blast area by a qualified and competent person(s)to recognize all
hazards that could have been caused by the blast.
• Post blast exam: A qualified and competent person(s)will make a check of the blast area after sufficient time
has elapsed for all fumes,and dusts to settle. If a misfire is suspected the blaster in charge will establish a time
to allow for any burning charges, etc.to elapse. As a minimum the MSHA regulatory requirement for time will
be followed.
Misfires:
Any time an explosive does not detonate as planned, a misfire has occurred. It is usually obvious when none or a
portion of a blast did not fire as planned. Sometimes partial initiation occurs within the blasthole and it is not noticed
until mucking starts. All misfires must be investigated because there is a reason for its occurrence. Ninety nine percent
of all misfires are due to human error. One percent can be attributed to product failure. The best way to handle a
misfire is not to have one by following all acceptable practices during the loading and firing of the blast. First and
foremost,once a misfire is suspected, proper safe guards must be put into place for the protection of persons in or near
the area.
Handling misfires: When a misfire occurs,everyone in the area is at risk. The blaster in charge is responsible for proper
handling of the misfire condition. Management should be notified immediately of a misfire condition. Each misfire
occurrence is unique. The following are recommendations for handling a misfire situation:
1. The blaster in charge shall invoke sufficient safeguards to exclude all persons from the potential blast area.
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2. No work shall be done except that necessary to remove the hazard of the misfire. Only those necessary to do
the work shall enter the potential blast area. Only the blaster in charge and the absolute minimum competent
persons needed to assist in handling the misfire will be allowed to approach the misfire.
3. The blaster in charge shall determine the safest steps for removing the hazard of the misfire. During the
development and implementing these steps,the blaster in charge shall comply with all applicable regulations,
and the manufacturer's recommendations. Further,the guidelines from the IME will be utilized.
4. Regulations governing the waiting periods before approaching a misfire will be adhered to.
5. No drilling,digging,or picking shall be permitted until all misfires have been detonated or the blaster in charge
approves the work.
Flyrock: The primary means of controlling flyrock is through proper blast design and delay timing. Proper confinement
within the blasthole is also essential for controlling flyrock. Anytime flyrock has traveled beyond the blast area the
blaster in charge must investigate the cause and take any corrective actions in the future to prevent a recurrence.
Excess flyrock,that flyrock thrown beyond the blast area, may need to be reported to federal,state,and local
authorities. It is the responsibility of the blaster in charge to report to the proper authority a flyrock incident.
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