Mining and MineralsDrilling and Blasting Operations
Blasting sets the fragmentation every downstream process inherits, so a poor blast is paid for again at the crusher, in the mill and in equipment wear. This course covers designing and executing one. Delegates work through explosive types and their properties, initiation systems and timing, and blast design including burden, spacing, stemming and powder factor. Fragmentation and its measurement are treated as the actual objective. The course covers the control of flyrock, ground vibration and airblast against limits set by neighbours and regulators, alongside secondary blasting and misfire procedure, and closes on the safety, storage and legal requirements attaching to explosives.
Course objectives
- Compare explosive types and select against rock and water conditions
- Specify initiation systems and design a timing sequence
- Design a blast using burden, spacing, stemming and powder factor
- Measure fragmentation and connect it to downstream cost
- Control flyrock, ground vibration and airblast against limits
- Apply misfire and secondary blasting procedures safely
- Meet the storage, handling and legal requirements for explosives
Who should attend
- Drill and blast engineers and supervisors
- Mining engineers and production staff
- Shotfirers and blasting crews
- Health and safety professionals in mining and quarrying
- Quarry managers
Course outline
- 01Explosive types, properties and selection
- 02Initiation systems and timing design
- 03Blast design: burden, spacing, stemming and powder factor
- 04Fragmentation and its downstream cost
- 05Flyrock control
- 06Ground vibration and airblast against regulatory limits
- 07Misfires and secondary blasting
- 08Storage, handling and legal requirements
Scheduled sessions
| Dates | Venue | Format | Price | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 to 30 October 2026 | Gaborone, Botswana | Classroom | R19,950 per delegate | Register Now |
| 28 December 2026 to 1 January 2027 | Online | Online | R8,500 per delegate | Register Now |
| 25 to 29 January 2027 | Lusaka, Zambia | Classroom | USD 1,325 per delegate | Register Now |
| 22 to 26 February 2027 | Windhoek, Namibia | Classroom | R19,950 per delegate | Register Now |
| 1 to 5 March 2027 | Kampala, Uganda | Classroom | USD 1,325 per delegate | Register Now |