VIOGEM JSC, Belgorod, Russia:

S. G. Kabelko, Leading Researcher, Candidate of Engineering Sciences,
E. B. Yanitsky, Deputy GEO in Research and Development, Candidate of Geographic Sciences, yanez@geomix.ru
V. A. Dunaev, Head of Department of Geology and Geoinformatics, Professor, Doctor of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences

Institute of Comprehensive Exploitation of Mineral Resources, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia:

R. A. Rakhmanov, Researcher, Candidate of Engineering Sciences

The article presents a case-study of computer-aided modeling of muck in an open pit gold mine in order to evaluate ore losses and dilution under conditions of rock mass displacement induced by blasting with regard to different factors of geology and technology. The procedures of ore body outline displacement assessment and ore loss and dilution calculation are discussed in terms of a few blast blocks in an actually operating open pit mine. It is found that loss and dilution of ore can be reduced as a result of introduction of muck modeling and blasting pattern design and action control in mining. Rock mass displacements are nonlinear both horizontally and vertically, and depend on the blast block configuration, presence of a retaining wall, powder factor, as well as on the borehole structure and switching circuit.

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