Blasts at this small quarry in Poland were generating vibrations with frequencies mostly between 10 and 20 Hz. Such frequencies resulted in the increased transition of the ground vibrations to the structures and claims from the owners. The quarry was facing the closure of its operation. As a precaution, they tried to blast with electronic detonators WITHOUT Austin Powder expertise and the impact on the structures got even worse.
The Austin Technical teams performed a series of test blasts. The results indicated that there was an underground water horizon, which reflected the primary seismic waves, causing the low frequencies. Sweetspot modeling was introduced to predict the vibrations with a focus on the reflected waves. The results with low frequencies were filtered out from the predictions to limit the transition to the structures. The model provided reliable data and assistance to keep the vibration levels at a minimum, allowing the quarry to continue its mining operation. Since then, E*STAR electronic detonators have been used for all blasting works accompanied by Hydromite 70 explosives.
