Journal Article

Improving the efficiency of rock blasting through confinement of detonation products

Zairova, Firuza, Dilshodbek, Ibrohimov, Normatova, Muborak, Zairov, Sherzod, Tadjiev, Shukhrat, Sabina, Khakimova

2026

Overview

This study investigates the influence of confinement conditions of detonation products on fragmentation efficiency during industrial borehole blasting operations in open-pit mining. Efficient utilization of explosive energy remains one of the key factors affecting rock fragmentation quality, operational productivity, and the economic performance of mining enterprises. Under conventional stemming conditions, premature venting of detonation products through the borehole collar leads to rapid pressure decay, reduced impulse duration, and increased formation of oversized rock fragments. To improve confinement efficiency, a borehole blasting method incorporating a polymer conical structure installed within the stemming section was developed and investigated under industrial-scale conditions. The proposed structure acts as a temporary gas-dynamic confinement system intended to delay premature gas release, prolong gas-pressure loading, and improve redistribution of explosive energy within the surrounding rock mass. Industrial-scale blasting trials were conducted at the Nukrakon and Yoshlik–I open-pit mines under comparable geological and technological conditions. Comparative field observations demonstrated that the proposed confinement system improved fragmentation uniformity and reduced oversized fragment formation relative to conventional blasting schemes. The obtained results indicate that enhanced confinement conditions contribute to prolonged impulse loading, more stable fracture propagation, and improved utilization of explosive energy without increasing explosive consumption. A comparative techno-economic assessment additionally demonstrated the practical feasibility of the proposed method due to reduced secondary breakage requirements, lower operational costs, and improved blasting efficiency. The developed polymer conical confinement system may therefore represent a promising technological approach for improving fragmentation quality and operational performance during industrial open-pit blasting operations. The proposed technology may be beneficial for open-pit mining enterprises seeking to improve fragmentation quality, reduce secondary breakage costs, enhance blasting efficiency, and increase the overall economic performance of mining operations.

• Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Blasting / Boreholes / Breakage / Civil Engineering / Confinement / Conical bodies / Crack initiation / Detonation / Efficiency / Electrical Engineering / Energy / Engineering / Engineering Mathematics / Fracture mechanics / Fragmentation / Impulse loading / Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering / Influence / Mechanical Engineering / Mining / Mining engineering / Open pit mining / Operating costs / Optimization / Polymers / Pressure distribution / Propagation / Rock masses / Software utilities