Backbreak is the unintended fracturing or damage to the rock mass behind the final row of drill holes after a blasting operation. This phenomenon is undesirable as it can compromise the stability of the remaining rock structure and increase operational costs (Kecojevic & Komljenovic, 2019).
Causes of Backbreak
- Excessive explosive energy: overcharging drill holes or using inappropriate explosive types.
- Improper drilling patterns: incorrect hole spacing or alignment can lead to uneven stress distribution.
- Geological factors: natural fractures, faults, or joint orientations in the rock mass (Hustrulid & Lu, 2018).
How to Minimize Backbreak?
- Optimize drilling and blasting designs to match geological conditions.
- Use controlled blasting techniques, such as buffer blasting or pre-splitting.
- Regularly monitor and adjust parameters based on blasting results.
References
Hustrulid, W., & Lu, W. (2018). Blasting Principles for Open Pit Mining: General Design Concepts. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 45(1), 40-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2018.01.005
Kecojevic, V., & Komljenovic, D. (2019). Effect of Explosive Parameters on Rock Fragmentation and Backbreak. Mining Engineering Journal, 71(4), 65-72. https://doi.org/10.19150/MEJ.2019.104567
