ASSESSMENT OF BLAST-INDUCED VIBRATIONS AT BOZSHAKOL COPPER PORPHYRY MINE

Abstract

In open mines, vibration caused by blasting activities have a huge impact on pit stability and the stability of nearby buildings. It is necessary to determine the propagation and attenuation of the blast-induced vibration in the open-pit slope in order to gain a greater understanding of the impact of blasting activities in open-pit mines. To quantify the ground vibration Peal Particle Velocity (PPV) is evaluated for ground vibration assessments and control of damages during mining operations, pit wall stability and construction projects. This study aims to estimate ground attenuation parameters and assess blast-induced ground vibration using Peak Particle Velocity in observed areas. This thesis presents a literature review of previous studies, discussing their needs for this research and comparing previously used methods, methodology that is applied for identification of ground attenuation and rock mass impact determination on PPV outputs. In this study, ground vibration monitoring dataset was obtained from the Bozshakol open-pit copper porphyry mine in Ekibastuz town and employed for vibration analysis and determination of ground attenuation parameters at the Bozshakol copper operation. 33 blast-induced vibration signals data was collected during blasting and was interpreted by advanced vibration monitoring stations. Attenuation parameters for ground vibration were found by linear regression analysis, where the relationship between the Scaled Distance (SD) and Peak Particle Velocity (PPV) have been determined. The results determined specific site attenuation parameters of the ground through PPV for North, South and East walls of the open pit. Also, the rock mass effect on ground vibration attenuation and analysis of the effect of rock mass and structures on ground attenuation were discussed. Accurate prediction of PPV ensures pit slope stability, so calculation of ground attenuation is the most important part in assessment of blast-induced vibrations.