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Drill and Blast Design Optimisation and Fragmentation Control

Equips drill and blast practitioners to design blast patterns that improve fragmentation, reduce oversize and control dilution across African surface and underground operations. Participants learn to balance burden, spacing, timing and energy factor against downstream loading, hauling and crusher performance. Practical work uses fragmentation measurement and blast reconciliation techniques drawn from Southern and West African mines.

What you will be able to do

  • Design blast patterns using burden, spacing, stemming and timing principles for target fragmentation.
  • Calculate powder factor and energy distribution for varying rock mass conditions.
  • Apply electronic and pyrotechnic initiation sequencing to control muckpile shape and movement.
  • Measure fragmentation outcomes and reconcile results against design intent.
  • Reduce oversize, toe and dilution through pattern and drilling accuracy improvements.
  • Link blast performance to loading, hauling and comminution efficiency.

Course outline

  1. 01Rock mass characterisation and blastability
  2. 02Burden, spacing and stemming design fundamentals
  3. 03Powder factor and energy distribution calculations
  4. 04Initiation sequencing and timing design
  5. 05Drilling accuracy and pattern quality control
  6. 06Fragmentation measurement techniques
  7. 07Blast reconciliation and continuous improvement
  8. 08Linking fragmentation to downstream productivity

Who should attend

This programme suits drill and blast engineers, blasting officers, mine planners and production supervisors responsible for blast performance in surface and underground operations.

Dates, venues and fees

DatesVenueDaysFeeCalendar
17 to 19 Aug 2026Kampala3US$1,500
24 to 26 Aug 2026Dar es Salaam3US$1,500
31 Aug to 2 Sep 2026Pretoria3R13,000
7 to 9 Sep 2026Cape Town3R13,000
21 to 23 Sep 2026Online3US$900
28 to 30 Sep 2026Mozambique3US$1,500
5 to 7 Oct 2026Cairo3US$1,500
12 to 14 Oct 2026Accra3US$1,500
19 to 21 Oct 2026Lusaka3US$1,500
26 to 28 Oct 2026Kigali3US$1,500
2 to 4 Nov 2026Nairobi3US$1,500
9 to 11 Nov 2026Durban3R13,000
16 to 18 Nov 2026Johannesburg3R13,000
30 Nov to 2 Dec 2026Mauritius3US$1,500
7 to 9 Dec 2026Dubai3US$1,500
14 to 16 Dec 2026Lagos3US$1,500
21 to 23 Dec 2026Harare3US$1,500

Fees are per delegate. South African venues are priced in rand; other locations and online in US dollars. Fees exclude 15% VAT where applicable. Group bookings of three or more delegates from the same organisation qualify for a reduced rate; contact us for a quotation.

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