This is the practice of filling the remainder of a drilled blast hole with inert material, such as clay, sand, or drill cuttings, after the explosives have been loaded. The packed material confines the explosive energy, forcing the expanding gases to fracture the surrounding rock rather than blowing harmlessly out the top of the hole. Proper confinement maximizes rock fragmentation and minimizes dangerous flyrock.
Heard on the job
Make sure you get at least three feet of tamping over those charges before we wire up the shot.
Also heard as
- stemming