Technical evaluation of production shaft drilled in Siirt - Madenköy mine site

In underground mining, it is observed for the place of the shaft to be within solid formations and be close to ore block. Geotechnical drillings in the site play a significant role in determining the proper place for the shaft. The next stage is to determine the proper shaft drilling method. The classical shaft drilling method consists of main stages such as drilling–blasting, transportation and fortification. In this study, the production shaft drilled in Siirt Madenköy mine site was technically evaluated in terms of drilling, blasting, transportation, fortification, ventilation and drainage works. The performance of two blasting patterns applied in shaft drilling were compared. The specific charge of the 1st pattern was 2.65 kg/m3 while the specific charge in the 2nd pattern was 1.88 kg/m3; therefore, explosive waste was approximately reduced. The number of holes and explosive waste were decreased with the second drilling pattern and the drilling pace was increased. Furthermore, a more proper well section was acquired. It was stated that it was undesirable to apply the second blasting pattern to whole of the shaft and the importance of adjusting the pattern according to the formation properties was stressed.