Application of Cast Blasting in Moroccan Phosphate Mines

Very few cases of Cast Blasting use in phosphate mining are reported. However, in open-cast coal mining, Cast Blasting is a common practice. And yet, the geological structure of both types of deposits is similar. Accordingly, advantages for phosphate open-cast mines are manifest, especially as future conditions of phosphate deposits fit quite well with the approach.The perspectives in terms of increasing capacity and reducing cost of stripping are quite positive. The dragline market (backbone of open-cast mining) is currently dominated by few suppliers. Avoiding investment in these mining equipment would limit the risk of dependency and therefore provide a strategic advantage.Moreover, coping with the improvement of efficiency issues, transforming fixed costs into variable costs are a key measure. And this is something that could be achieved through Cast Blasting.Prior to the implementation of this method, a study was achieved to demonstrate profitability while specifying the conditions of optimal use. The study was based both on the use of numerical simulation and field trials.The presentation provides a summary of the geology, the blasting method and the findings of this study and highlights the side effects that should be fixed (mainly back break) in order to ensure the best result from the Cast Blasting method.