Methodological issues of a comprehensive assessment of the crushing and man-induced effects of blasting operations in open-pit mining

Current conditions of mining mineral deposits are characterized with raising requirements towards the environmental consequences of production, as well as increasing volumes of works near settlements, increasing unit capacity of the mining equipment and the volumes of simultaneously blasted rock mass. In this connection the importance of research into the development of energy-efficient technologies of the rock crushing processes and the search for safe methods of their intensification with the minimal harmful effects of large-scale blasting is increasing. The article presents specific methodical features of complex assessment of crushing and man-induced effects of blasting operations in conditions of a test ground and on those of an open pit wall, as well as methodical aspects of calculating the energy spent on seismic action of the blast and air shock wave. The results are provided of systematizing the methods to control the blast seismic action. The results of a comparative assessment of the dust and gas cloud density and its height change in time are discussed with reference to the application of different granulated commercial explosives. A methodological approach is shown to the integrated assessment of the crushing and man-induced effects of blasting operations in open-pit mining.