Abstract
A technical and economic evaluation of the potential for improving mining productivity through the use of underreamers in blastholes, specifically in relation to Minnesota taconite, Arizona surface copper, and in situ mining operations is presented. Included are (1) a review of the drilling and blasting practices presently being used; (2) a discussion of current underreamer technology; (3) the presentation of a general economic cost model for underreaming; (4) the application of the model to surface taconite, surface copper, and in situ mining; and (5) a summary discussion including required performance specifications, potential overall benefits, and recommendations for further development.
