Saturday, February 23, 2008

Rock away

What's this?
The business end of this!
Drilling rock near the entrance. Most of the rock we have encountered we have been able to "rip" with machinery. Along the entry there was rock that needed to be blasted to be removed.
Holes are drilled and blast packs are inserted. The process is very scientific, monitored, and controlled to the finest details these days.


After blast stone is ripped, it is piled, and pushed into a berm for the next blast and then covered with dirt to help absorb and confine debris. Then dozed and compacted prior to exploding. There are seismographs on site and readings are taken at a variety of ranges to insure safety. The fire marshall must come and inspect prior to all explosions.

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