Limestone is primarily collected through blasting in quarries. This involves a systematic process of drilling, explosive placement, and detonation to extract large quantities of stone.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
-
Drilling: Holes are drilled into the limestone rock face. These holes are strategically placed to maximize the effectiveness of the blast.
-
Explosive Placement: Explosives are carefully placed within the drilled holes. The type and amount of explosive used depend on the size and characteristics of the limestone deposit.
-
Detonation: The explosives are detonated, creating a powerful explosion that dislodges large quantities of limestone from the rock face. A single blast can yield up to 30,000 tonnes of stone.
-
Extraction and Processing: After blasting, the dislodged limestone is then extracted from the quarry using heavy machinery like excavators and loaders. The limestone is then transported for further processing, which may include crushing, screening, and sizing, depending on its intended use.
While blasting is the most common method, other techniques, such as surface mining or underground mining, may be used depending on the location and depth of the limestone deposit. However, these are less prevalent.
