Generation and Accuracy Assessment of Digital Elevation Model Using Digital Photogrammetry and Differential Global Positioning System Techniques

Blasting can be considered as the most crucial process in an opencast mine. It is therefore important for mining engineers to understand the effect of geological discontinuities and blast design parameters on the results of blasting. Bench height and burden are very important parameters affecting stiffness of bench. Joints alter the results of blasting, by making explosive energy utilization ineffective. Modern tools like high speed videography reveal many aspects of fragmentation process, which otherwise are difficult to visualize and understand. An attempt is made through this paper to present some of the research results of model scale studies, coupled with field study results related to bench height and joints in order to improve blast results.