Artificial neural network or empirical criteria? A comparative approach in evaluating maximum charge per delay in surface mining — Sungun copper mine

Ground vibration due to blasting causes damages in the existence of the surface structures nearby the mine. The study of vibration control plays an important role in minimizing environmental effects of blasting in mines. Ground vibration regulations primarily rely on the peak particle velocity (PPV, mm/s). Prediction of maximum charge weight per delay (Q, kg) by distance from blasting face up to vibration monitoring point as well as allowable PPV was proposed in order to perform under control blasting and therefore avoiding damages on structures nearby the mine. Various empirical predictor equations have proposed to determine the PPV and maximum charge per delay. Maximum charge per delay is calculated by using PPV predictors indirectly or Q predictor directly. This paper presents the results of ground vibration measurement induced by bench blasting in Sungun copper mine in Iran. The scope of this study is to evaluate the capability of two different methods in order to predict maximum charge per delay. A comparison between two ways of investigations including empirical equations and artificial neural network (ANN) are presented. It has been shown that the applicability of ANN method is more promising than any under study empirical equations.