Hard rock excavation without blasting for civil engineering and mining projects

Abstract

In India, various mega infrastructure projects are upcoming for development and growth of the country. Most of these projects are in metros’ or midsize cities. With huge population in the country, mega infrastructure civil engineering are in close proximity to community. Mining is also required to be carried out close to populated villages. Although blasting is most economical, adverse environmental impacts such as fly rock, ground vibration, air blast cannot be completely ignored and eliminated. This paper illustrates existing established technologies and various upcoming technologies which are blastfree and are environment friendly. At initial stage planning excavation, determining compressive strength, tensile strength, geological strength index are essential to decide type of excavation method. Surface miner for coal and limestone mines, ripper dozer, hydraulic rock breaker for secondary breaking are successful for more than two decades in India. Foam injection, plasma technology, chemical methods are emerging technologies. Impact hammer for primary breaking can be deployed in many mines in the country in the vicinity of local community. Excavation without blasting is the present need of technological requirement which is also well accepted as environment friendly.