Evaluation of the seismic effect due to blasting works in quarries, an important factor in the safe exploitation of mineral resources

Demolition using civilian explosives in open-pit mining operations presents technical and economic advantages. This method also produces effects with direct impact in the zone close to the quarry. If the intensity of vibrations exceeds certain limits, they can cause discomfort to people, affect stability of buildings and integrity of buildings located near the basalt quarry, and even cause morphological changes to the terrain in the area near the quarry. This paper describes ways to design/determine areas in the quarry where a certain quantity of explosives can/cannot be used under maximum security conditions, from the point of view of seismic vibrations, thus protecting people and civil/industrial buildings in the mining area.