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4. Drilling, Blasting, Loading and Hauling

Drilling

Drilling creates holes for exploration, blasting, ground control or other operational purposes. Equipment and patterns vary with rock type and the task.

Blasting

Controlled blasting fragments rock. Design may consider hole spacing, burden, depth and timing. Blasting must be planned and controlled by appropriately trained personnel.

Loading

Excavators, loaders and other machines move fragmented material into trucks, hoppers or stockpiles.

Hauling

Haulage moves ore and waste between working areas, stockpiles, waste facilities and processing plants. Roads require suitable design, drainage, traffic control and maintenance.