Theory 063/Mining & Minerals
Fragmentation Is a Powder Factor
The claim
Blast fragmentation is set by the powder factor relative to rock mass, so doubling charge in a larger volume changes nothing.
01The mechanism
Fragmentation depends on energy per unit rock, not total energy; scaling both together leaves the ratio unchanged.
02Predictions
- P1Fragment size should collapse onto the powder factor.
- P2Larger blasts at constant factor should fragment similarly.
03Refutation
Fragmentation tracking total charge would remove the ratio.