Experimental study on air-deck charge of Husab uranium mine in Namibia

Based on the field demand of reducing explosive consumption of Husab uranium mine, the theory of air-deck charging blasting and reasonable air column length calculation method were analyzed, and the existing air-deck devices were summarized in the present paper.A comparison air-deck charging blasting trial was carried out in Husab uranium mine after the reasonable air column length calculation, and the fragmentation size, loading rate and explosive consumption were studied to access the blasting results of conventional blast and air-deck charging blast.The results show that the explosive consumptions is reduced approximately 24%, X₅₀ increases about 21%, but loading rate just decreases about 3.5%, which points out the obvious economic and technological value of air-deck charging technique.This paper can provide guidance of the explosive consumption reduction and blasting process optimization for Husab uranium mine, and technical references of the similar mines.