EXPLO SIVES AN D

BLASTIN G IN
U N D ERG RO U N D CO AL
M IN IN G

INTRODUCTION
All seams in underground coal mines are
considered gassy, the degree of gassiness
may vary from I to III.
Methane gas that is released from during
excavation when mixed in the proportions
between 5-14% forms an explosive mixture.
In underground coal mines, there is also an
additional risk as coal dust which undergoes
a dust explosion when suitably ignited with
air.

Methane ignition is known to take place due

to following reasons:
Direct action of shock wave from the
explosive.
Indirect action of the shock wave after it
has been reflected from solid surfaces in the
vicinity of explosives.
Hot gaseous products of detonation
mixing with the methane-air mixture.
Hot reacting solid particles of explosives
getting ejected in to the methane-air

Hence , specially designed explosives and

detonators are required for use in
underground coal mines.

PERMITTED EXPLOSIVES
Only those explosives, which are included in
the official list of authorised explosives issued
by the Chief Controller of Explosives in India,
may be used for blasting in mines.
Only on passing the tests in an explosive
approved as a permitted explosive.
In India there are 3 types of permitted

P-1 Type Permitted Explosives: These

explosives can be used for drifting or ripping
and simultaneously firing in an
undercut/middlecut/overcut and in depillaring
faces, in coal seams of first degree of
gassiness.

P-3 Type Permitted Explosives: These are

Equivalent-to-Sheathed Explosives used for
drifting or ripping and simultaneously firing an
undercut/middlecut/overcut and in depillaring
faces, in coal seams of first degree of
gassiness.

P-5 Type Permitted Explosives: These are

NON PERMITTED EXPLOSIVES

For certain operations such as shaft sinking
and stone drifting, where there is no gas or
coal dust present, explosives other than
permitted explosives can be used, subject to
such conditions as may be laid down by the
DGMS in specific instances.

DETONATORS
In conjunction with Permitted Explosives,
only approved detonators may be used for
coal blasting.
Only electric detonators with copper tube are
permitted for use in coal blasting.
There are 2 types of detonators:
=> Instantaneous Copper Electric
Detonators(CED)
=> Copper Non-Incendive Short Delay
Detonators(CDD)

PRINCIPLES OF BLASTING IN
COAL
Underground coal mining operations could
be divided into two categories , namely,
Development and Depillaring.
Both for bord -and-pillar as well as for
longwall mining, driving galleries through
coal seams are done. there are two
techniques employed for blasting in
development galleries.
=>Blasting on pre-cut face

BLASTING ON A PRE-CUT FACE

In many mines coal-cutting machines are
used to provide an additional free face for
blasting. While this may be under , over,
middle or side cut, the most common practise
in Indian mines is to have undercut face. For
blasting on cut faces the following conditions
must be compiled with:
The length of the shot hole should be at
least 15cm (6 inches) less than the depth of
the cut.
The detonators in a round should be fired
simultaneously , preferably in series.

SOLID BLASTING OF COAL(BOS)

Both in Longwall and development faces coal
can be blasted without giving an undercut by
a coal cutting machine.
The technique of blasting of the solid is
simpler, more economical and less hazardous
than conventional method of breaking coal
with machine cut and blasting.
Only P5 Permitted Explosives (Solarcoal-5)
and Non-incendive copper short delay
detonators shall be used.

CODE OF GOOD PRACTISES IN

UNDERGROUND BLASTING
Velocities of Air Current (DGMS
stipulations):
The velocity of air current measured
in metres per minutes at the place shown in
column (2) shall not be less than that shown
in column(3) for the different seams shown in
column(1) of the table

Degree of
Gassiness

Velocit
Place where the velocity of air is y of
to be measured
air

First, Second or
Third Degree

Intermediate out by ventilation connection

from the face

First, second
degree

(i)4.5 mts from any face whether working or

discontinued on the intake side of the
brattice or partition
(ii)7.5 mts out by the discharge end of an
air pipe
(iii) At the maximum span of a Longwall
face

Third Degree

30

30

15
60

(i)4.5 mts from any face whether working or

discontinued on the intake side of the
brattice or partition
(ii)7.5 mts out by the discharge end of an
air pipe

45

(iii)At the maximum span of a Longwall face

75

25

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