This paper will discuss the issues associated with
blasting in an urban mining environment that have been addressed by Winstone
Aggregates at the Mt Wellington Quarry. These issues include - control of
vibration and air overpressure, repeatability of shot performance, fragmentation
on an extremely low maximum instantaneous charge, compliance with Territorial
Authority regulations and perception.
Over the last two years, in order to address these
issues, Winstone Aggregates have undertaken a programme of continuous
improvement, which has included;
implementation of new
technology;
revising site procedures;
conducting an investigation into the structural
response of local buildings;
investigating safe
extrapolation;
extensive public consultation;
establishing credibility during the consent
process;
identification of perception issues;
and
building relationships and trust with
neighbours.
The issues addressed at the Mt Wellington Quarry have
increasing significance for traditionally rural mining operations, as the input
of the local community being urban or rural, increases. New and existing
operations have the potential to adopt best practice now, building trust with
the community and raising the profile of the industry.