Determination of Swelling factor in Blasting of RockMasses, an Experimental Study in SarcheshmehCopper Mine

Nowadays, one of the most important parameters for measuring the performance of any company orindustrial sector is its production rate. In the mining industry, production rate is also one of the mostimportant parameters. One of the most important parameters affecting the production rate of mines isthe density of the ore rocks. This study aims to determine the Bulk density and swelling factor of theore and waste rocks of the Sarcheshmeh copper mine in Iran. Two methods were used to determine theBulk density of the mine: large-scale and small-scale methods. In the small-scale method, the Bulkdensity of the mine was determined using a ۱ cubic meter metal box and weighing by a digital scale. Inthe large-scale measurement method, a three-dimensional model of the discharged load was constructedand its volume was calculated using its geometry. Furthermore, in the large-scale method, the dischargedshovel load was modeled in ۳D, and the volume of the shovel load was determined. The weight of theload was also measured by the payload scale of the dump truck, and ultimately, the bulk density andswelling coefficient were calculated using this method as well. The results showed that for the threequalitative classifications of rock sizes (fine, medium, and coarse), the Bulk density of the rocks was۱.۷۸, ۱.۶۸, and ۱.۵۸ tons per cubic meter, respectively. By determining the Bulk density for the differentrocks in the mine and having information on the density of the rocks, the swelling factor of the rocksafter blasting for the three rock types (fine, medium, coarse) was ۱.۴۶, ۱.۵۶, and ۱.۶۹, respectively

Keywords:

Bulk density , In situ Density , Swelling Factor , Small-Scale , Large-Scale , ۳DModel