TITLE:
Environmental Protection of a Natural Upland Lake through an Innovative Approach for Determining the Critical Peak Particle Velocity of Surrounding Detonations in Large-Scale Iron Mining
AUTHORS:
Vidal Félix Navarro Torres, Juan Manuel Girao Sotomayor, Fabiano Veloso Ferreira, Leonardo Chaves
KEYWORDS:
Rock Blasting, Vibrations, Geotechnical Stability, Lake Protection
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.12 No.12,
December
30,
2024
ABSTRACT: This study presented an innovative approach to determining the acceptable peak particle velocity (PPV) required to ensure the stability of Lagoa do Violão, an upland lake near the mining operations of the S11D project. By combining analysis of the vibrations caused by rock blasting with advanced three-dimensional (3D) geotechnical modeling, the induced accelerations contributing to pseudo-static models were calculated. This methodology enabled the establishment of safe PPV limits, which were crucial for maintaining the structural integrity of the lagoon and its surrounding ecosystem. The findings highlighted the importance of carefully managed blasting practices to maintain geotechnical stability, as the safety factor was significantly influenced by both frequency and PPV. The analysis confirmed that a PPV threshold of 4 mm/s was generally safe near the lake. Accordingly, two specific operational approaches for conducting blasting operations were proposed, considering different drilling diameters, and ensuring compatibility with activities within 500 meters of the lagoon. This research contributed to the practice of sustainable mining by offering evidence-based guidelines for blasting operations near sensitive ecosystems, thereby ensuring both structural safety and environmental conservation.