Novel Concepts and Insights into Improvement of Blasting in Coal Mining.

Paper points out that, in spite of extensive mechanization of coal mining in West Germany, the driving of roadways, entries, etc by conventional drilling and blasting will practiced for years to come. While during the 1960's the rate of advance of headings in rock and coal has been increased by 110% (up to 3. 23 m/day) and by 155% (up to 4. 53 m/day) respectively those results cannot be considered as satisfactory. Author analyzes prospects for further improvements from viewpoints of: organization; drilling and blasting techniques inclusive of application of novel insights into the latter.