Which parameter describes the material used to stem around blasting holes?

Which parameter describes the material used to stem around blasting holes?

• A. Type/height of stemming
• B. Name of blaster
• C. Total weight of explosives used
• D. Weather conditions

Answer: (A)

Stemming is the material placed in the borehole around the explosive column to confine the blast and help transmit energy into the rock. The parameter describes both the type of stemming material and how tall the stemming column is above the explosive charge. The choice and height of this material determine how well gas is contained, how efficiently the energy is directed to break rock, and how much vibration or flyrock is produced. The other options don’t define the stemming itself: the blaster’s name isn’t a blasting-design parameter, the total weight of explosives relates to overall charge energy rather than the stemming setup, and weather conditions affect operations but not the stemming material or its height.

Stemming is the material placed in the borehole around the explosive column to confine the blast and help transmit energy into the rock. The parameter describes both the type of stemming material and how tall the stemming column is above the explosive charge. The choice and height of this material determine how well gas is contained, how efficiently the energy is directed to break rock, and how much vibration or flyrock is produced. The other options don’t define the stemming itself: the blaster’s name isn’t a blasting-design parameter, the total weight of explosives relates to overall charge energy rather than the stemming setup, and weather conditions affect operations but not the stemming material or its height.