Burn Cut Vs.

V-Cut Spreadsheet Assignment

You are working for a granite quarry that is going underground to continue producing rock. The
area will be used as an underground warehouse once mining has been completed.

Excavation size:
The plan is to transition to an underground room and pillar operation. A rock mechanics
consultant has looked at the deposit and has come up with the following recommendations for
the mine: pillars that are 20 ft. by 25 ft. with rooms that are 20 ft. by 45 ft wide. The rock is
bone dry.

Drilling equipment:
Your company will be buying a new double boom hydraulic drill rig available with a 14 ft boom
and 12 ft steel which is designed to drill 2.5” or 3” holes.

Your task:
Create a spreadsheet and computer drawing that does the following
1. Design one main round for both types of cut (based on a target powder factor range of
1.2-1.5 lb/cyd)
2. Design a Burn cut round to be slotted into the main round (make decision process comments
and superimpose any design changes to accommodate the burn cut)
3. Design a V-cut round to be slotted into the main round (make decision process comments
and superimpose any design changes to accommodate the V-cut)
4. Compare the designs and state pros & cons and make a selection based on economics.
5. Provide a drawing of the design for both patterns either an AutoCAD file or pdf drawing.

Given Data:
Unit weight of Granite = 168 lb/ft3
Detonator cost = $10 each
Booster Cost = $5 each
ANFO Cost (0.82 g/cc) = $0.75 per pound
Emulsion Cost (1.20 g/cc) = $1.25 per pound

Drill Bit Diameter (Inches) Cost per foot to drill ($/ft)

2.5 $3.00
3 $3.25

Notes:
Your economic analysis should be based on the number of holes that you have to drill plus the
number of holes you have to load versus your pull (in feet). Assume drilling costs are the same
as charging costs. (E.g. An uncharged hole is half the cost of a charged hole)