The stages of drilling and blasting, from plan to load
A step-by-step look: assess, design, drill, charge, fire and clear.
1. Assess
Study the rock, survey the site and set constraints.
2. Blast design
Set the drill pattern, charge weight and timing.
3. Drill
Holes are drilled to the plan and set out by survey.
4. Charge and fire
Holes are charged and fired with vibration under control.
5. Clear
The muck is removed and the result checked against the plan.
Planning a drilling or blasting job?
Tell us about your site — location, scope and rock type — and we'll come back with a plan.
Related articles
Drilling and blasting: a complete guide to drill & blast
How drilling and blasting works: stages, blast design, borehole drilling, fragmentation, vibration and safety. A practical guide for quarries, mines, tunnels and roads.
What is drilling and blasting (drill & blast)
A plain explanation of drilling and blasting — what it is for and the stages it involves.
Licensing for drilling and blasting in Uzbekistan
Why blasting needs a licence and what it covers.