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A stemming blasting refers to a material used to fill the top part of a blast hole after explosive placement. They typically provide a barrier between the explosion and the surface while helping control the fragmentation of the rock. Stemming materials may be natural, like aggregate or sand, or synthetic, like plastic plugs.
Some examples include:
Stemming Plug
Stemming plugs are designed to prevent fly rocks in a blast hole from coming out. They are usually made of a patented durable polymer that can be reused several times.
Stemming Bags
They are filled with sand and fitted to hold the stemming in place for blasts. Stemming bags are usually used for shotgun blasts to prevent fly rocks.
Stemming Boards
Stemming boards are typically plywood sheets supported by posts. They act as a barrier to control the stemming during blasts. Stemming boards are commonly used in overhead blasts.
Plastic Stemming Tubes
They are used to retain the stemming material's plastic tubes. Plastic stemming tubes are viable options when precise control of stemming is required.
Gel Caps
These are flexible plastic containers used for reliably stemming gel or water. They can be easily shaped to suit the hole's diameter.
Polymer Plugs
They are designed to retain the stemming material in the holes. Polymer plugs are durable and useful for various geological conditions.
Geotextile Bags
These are bags lined with geotextile fabric used for retaining stemming material in a blast hole. They offer stable and controlled stemming conditions.
Proper machine maintenance is essential for specifying and executing the industry's foundation-blasting specifications. A well-coordinated and precise mining specification will usually result in reduced costs and safer, more efficient production. In the specifications area, it is necessary only to mention the areas where specific mining/blasting-stemming machines are required.
The drill machine needs to be capable of drilling in specified rock formation conditions and depths, etc., using specified techniques like dry or wet. The capacity could be in terms of volume or mass, mining material or rock (e.g., tons or cubic feet per unit of time or length). If there are specific drill bits or gaskets required, they need to be mentioned here. The drill holes need to be of a specified diameter and spacing, and any holes that may not connect to the other cavity must be mentioned.
Drill pattern required for the specific mining should be mentioned here, such as the parallel grids or staggered pattern required, depending upon the area being blasted and the rock formation. Other factors like pressure, temperature, moisture level, flow rate, etc., must be specified here according to the drill being used and the geological conditions.
Dynamite or detonating cord needs to be mentioned as per the industry specification, along with how they shall be covered in stemming material. For example, in the quartz mine, stemming material is made up of clean, dry, and unweathered quartz sand. The time-lag fuse or detonators must also be covered as per industry standards and specifications.
And finally, the machinery used to frame the blast cavity must be mentioned here, as well as the capacity and distance it can transport stemming material. The kind of stemming material used should also be determined here according to the geological condition and industry standards.
Now, in the mining machine/drilling machine's part, it should be pointed out that it is necessary to identify the machine's capacity and the production requirement so that the machine in terms of:
Finally, data about the drill blast machine's the working capacity, depth, duty cycle temperature, and pressure, etc. of, and any other parameter should be mentioned wherever necessary to improve subject understanding and transparency. If there is a need for a special drill bit or e-tools to go along with it, it should also be stated clearly, as the final drill/blast configuration should be known to all stakeholders before the blast/stemming is done.
Stemming material has many applications in various industries such as construction, mining, and agriculture. In mining, stemming is used in blasting operations to stop crater collapse after rock blasting. The stemming material is packed in the blast holes to control the movement of rocks after the explosion, thus preventing the blast holes from collapsing.
In the construction industry, stemming material is used as backfill. It is often used in areas with sinkholes because it can fill voids and provide stability. Similarly, in the agricultural industry, stemming material can be used in mulch to control soil erosion and improve soil health.
Stemming material can also be used in drainage projects to improve the drainage system by preventing soil erosion along the drainage lines. Furthermore, stemming materials such as fine rubber granules from shredded tires have been used in landfills as an alternative to improve compaction and reduce settlement in landfill sites.
When purchasing stemming material for blasting, buyers need to get quality products to protect the hole. They can start by researching the customary stemming material used at various mines and the reasons for using specific types of stemming material.
For instance, stemming plug boards are widely used because they are easy to move, based on a board, and have a low failure rate. This knowledge will enable buyers to identify the successful blasting techniques in specific mines and the reasons for them. It will also help buyers understand the qualities of stemming material preferred for particular rock types and blasting strategies. This information is critical to making the right choice of stemming material that will work with the type of blast hole in a given mine.
Buyers should also understand the significance of stemming air in the industry so that they can get good discounts and good deals when purchasing stemming material. If buyers know that stemming air is crucial in the industry, they will be able to explain its importance in stemming the air in other mines.
This will enable them to negotiate for better deals with suppliers who may offer a discount on bulk purchases. Buyers should check the methods used to stem the blasting stem for different types of rock. The stemming blasting method will determine the efficiency of the stemming material. Buyers should also consider the cost-effectiveness of the stemming material.
They should look at the total cost of using a particular type of stemming material in their mines and compare it with other types. Factors like transport costs, pricing, and efficiency in stemming the blast should be considered when determining the cost-effectiveness of the stemming material. Informed buyers will be able to make the most of their buy by choosing the stemming material that complies with the factors stated above and is well-suited for their specific mining situation.
Q1: What are the benefits of stemming in blasting?
A1: The benefits of stemming in blasting include maximizing rock fragmentation, controlling blast costs, minimizing flyrock and airblast, reducing ground vibration, and improving overall blast efficiency.
Q2: What is the difference between stemming and stemming plugs?
A2: Stemming refers to the material used to cap the blast holes after the explosives have been placed. In contrast, stemming plugs refer to the removable or adjustable plugs used to control the length of the stemming column.
Q3: Can anyone be able to conduct stemming blasting?
A3: No, stemming blasting requires specialized knowledge, skills, and training. Only individuals who have received proper training and have the necessary qualifications should engage in activities.
Q4: What is the ideal stemming materials for a rock drilling project?
A4: Commonly used stemming materials include crushed stone, concrete, cement grout, fly ash, and rock dust. The choice of stemming material depends on factors such as the rock type, blast design, and project requirements.
