At the IBC initiative, the first meeting of the working group on introducing changes to the Rules for conducting blasting operations was held at the State Committee for Industrial, Energy and Subsoil Use on February 5.

Following the official appeal to the State Committee for Industry, Energy and Subsoil Use of the Kyrgyz Republic and consultations held with the Committee’s management, it was possible to reach an agreement on the need to make changes to eliminate the safety zone for drilling and blasting, in coordination with the authorized body.

In connection with the adoption of new Safety Rules for Blasting Operations (Decree of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic of September 30, 2016 No. 521), difficulties have arisen in ensuring a safe working space in open-pit mining operations of mining companies. According to the new Rules, the size of the exclusion zone of blasting operations from the nearest charge was increased from 8 to 20 meters. This restriction adversely affects the activities of mining enterprises.

In the production of blasting on narrow and cramped areas along the haulage roads, the 20-meter restricted area creates the need for complete or partial closing of haulage roads. This greatly complicates travel and creates a cluster of mining equipment, while creating dangerous situations on the haulage road, as well as affecting the production goals of mining companies.

In world practice, directed blasting at open bottom is considered effective during blasting operations to maintain the stability of the pit walls from the seismic impact of an explosion and to improve the performance of loading equipment. In cases of 20-meter limitation, it is not always possible to carry out explosions at open bottom.

In the world practice and in the mining enterprises of the Kyrgyz Republic, the e-initiation systems, which have additional security measures, are now successfully used in blasting operations.