Reactive Ground Blast Management in a South Africa Open Pit Zinc Mine

Site visit was conducted on the 20th of March 2021 to confirm and assist with the reactive ground that caused an unplanned detonation of numerous charged holes

Reactive ground conditions increase the risk of explosives deflagration and/or unplanned detonations. Unexpected and highly reactive ground conditions were recently experienced at a large open-pit zinc mine in the Northern Cape of South Africa.

This white paper is an overview of BME’s investigation and recommended actions.