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Here's an interesting picture of a drill rig,
drilling blast holes ahead of the dragline. Blast holes are typically
about 15 inched in diameter and can be up to 60 feet deep. Once all
of the holes are drilled, and the rig is out of the way, the holes
will be loaded with a powdered explosive mix, and then shot. This
fractures the rock, and makes it easier for the dragline to dig. |
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The dragline ( A Manitowoc 6400) can be seen
working in the background here, along with a dozer which is preparing
the bench for the drag to sit on. Notice how the farthest row of
holes lines up with the highwall in the background. |
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