Question

Identify the correct sequence of blasting operations in Underground coal mines

• A. Drilling, Charging, Stemming, Blasting, Mucking
• B. Drilling, Charging, Mucking, Stemming, Blasting
• C. Mucking, Drilling, Charging, Stemming, Blasting
• D. Drilling, Stemming, Charging, Mucking, Blasting

Hint:

Think of the process logically, like baking a cake.
You have to prepare the pan (Drilling), put the batter in (Charging), put it in the oven (Stemming/Blasting), and then take it out to serve (Mucking).
You can't muck before you blast, and you can't blast before you drill and charge the holes.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
We need to arrange the listed mining activities into the correct chronological order for a standard blasting cycle.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's analyze the logical flow of a drill-and-blast operation:
1.

Drilling: The first step is to create holes in the rock or coal face where the explosives will be placed.
2.

Charging: The drilled holes are then "charged" or loaded with the explosives and detonators.
3.

Stemming: After charging, the mouth of the hole is plugged with an inert material like clay or sand stemming.
This confines the explosive energy within the hole, ensuring it is used to break the rock rather than blowing out of the hole (a "blowout").
4.

Blasting: Once the area is clear of personnel, the explosive charges are detonated.
5.

Mucking: After the blast and a safety period for fumes to clear, the broken rock or coal (the "muck") is loaded and hauled away.
This sequence is Drilling $\rightarrow{}$ Charging $\rightarrow{}$ Stemming $\rightarrow{}$ Blasting $\rightarrow{}$ Mucking.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct sequence of operations is Drilling, Charging, Stemming, Blasting, Mucking.
This corresponds to option (A).