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Blasting Hazards of Gold Mining in Sulfide-Bearing Ore Bodies.

PB93132132

Publication Date	1992
Personal Author	Miron, Y.
Page Count	18
Abstract	Two recent unplanned detonations occurred during blasting operations in sulfide-bearing ores in a Nevada gold mine. Other premature detonations have also reportedly occurred at other Nevada, California, and Arizona operations within the past few years, with increasing frequency. Unplanned or premature detonations can be extremely hazardous to life and can cause extensive property damage. A miner was injured in one of these occurrences. The report, by the U.S. Bureau of Mines, is intended to acquaint personnel involved in such mining activities with the basic causes for these accidents. These causes include the exothermic oxidation of pyrite (FeS2) and formation of ferrous sulfate (FeSO4), the exothermic and energetic reaction of the ferrous sulfate with ammonium nitrate-fuel oil (ANFO)-based explosives, and the associated elevated temperatures that can set off detonators and explosives in the boreholes. Recommendations for safe operation by the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the Bureau, and the mine involved with the recent incidents include monitoring temperatures in the blast holes, analyzing for sulfate and ferrous ions, and limiting the time between loading and firing in accordance with conditions in the blast holes. Other procedures for safe operations should fit specific conditions in the mines.
Keywords	Blasting Metalliferous mineral deposits Gold Hazards Mining Sulfides Detonation Mining engineering Mineral deposits Safety engineering Oxidation Gold mining
Source Agency	Bureau of Mines
NTIS Subject Category	48A - Mineral Industries
Corporate Authors	Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh, PA. Pittsburgh Research Center.
Supplemental Notes	Library of Congress catalog card no. 92-26742.
Document Type	Technical Report
Title Note	Information circular/1992.
NTIS Issue Number	199307

Blasting Hazards of Gold Mining in Sulfide-Bearing Ore Bodies.

Blasting Hazards of Gold Mining in Sulfide-Bearing Ore Bodies.
PB93132132

Publication Date	1992
Personal Author	Miron, Y.
Page Count	18
Abstract	Two recent unplanned detonations occurred during blasting operations in sulfide-bearing ores in a Nevada gold mine. Other premature detonations have also reportedly occurred at other Nevada, California, and Arizona operations within the past few years, with increasing frequency. Unplanned or premature detonations can be extremely hazardous to life and can cause extensive property damage. A miner was injured in one of these occurrences. The report, by the U.S. Bureau of Mines, is intended to acquaint personnel involved in such mining activities with the basic causes for these accidents. These causes include the exothermic oxidation of pyrite (FeS2) and formation of ferrous sulfate (FeSO4), the exothermic and energetic reaction of the ferrous sulfate with ammonium nitrate-fuel oil (ANFO)-based explosives, and the associated elevated temperatures that can set off detonators and explosives in the boreholes. Recommendations for safe operation by the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the Bureau, and the mine involved with the recent incidents include monitoring temperatures in the blast holes, analyzing for sulfate and ferrous ions, and limiting the time between loading and firing in accordance with conditions in the blast holes. Other procedures for safe operations should fit specific conditions in the mines.
Keywords	Blasting Metalliferous mineral deposits Gold Hazards Mining Sulfides Detonation Mining engineering Mineral deposits Safety engineering Oxidation Gold mining
Source Agency	Bureau of Mines
NTIS Subject Category	48A - Mineral Industries
Corporate Authors	Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh, PA. Pittsburgh Research Center.
Supplemental Notes	Library of Congress catalog card no. 92-26742.
Document Type	Technical Report
Title Note	Information circular/1992.
NTIS Issue Number	199307