Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Optimisation of Drilling & Blasting operation in Opencast Mines 1. Technical KPIs Monitor powder factor optimization Track fragmentation size distribution Measure blast-induced damage levels Assess drilling accuracy and precision Evaluate explosive utilization efficiency Monitor equipment productivity rates 2. Safety and Environmental KPIs Track safety incident rates Monitor vibration and noise compliance Assess air quality impact levels Measure flyrock occurrence frequency Document environmental compliance status Record community feedback and concerns Key performance indicators (KPIs) for optimization of drilling and blasting include * *Rate of Penetration (ROP) ** , Powder Factor, Rock Fragmentation , Equipment Utilization Cycle Time of Shovel Throughput of Crushers , Drilling and Blasting Costs, Ground Vibration, Bit Life, and Safety Incidents. These KPIs provide quantifiable measures to evaluate drilling effectiveness, blast performance, operational efficiency, and safety, facilitating continuous improvement and alignment with overall mine goals. Drilling Performance KPIs Rate of Penetration (ROP): Measures the speed at which the drilling unit can penetrate the rock. Penetration Rate (Depth per Hour): Assesses the productivity of the drilling unit over time. Bit Life: Tracks the durability and performance of drill bits. Equipment Utilization: Measures the effective working hours of drilling units against their total working hours. Drilling Costs per Foot: Evaluates the cost-effectiveness of drilling operations. Blasting Performance KPIs Powder Factor: The amount of explosive used per volume of rock blasted, used to optimize blast design. Rock Fragmentation: The size distribution of the blasted rock, a critical factor for downstream processes like crushing and milling. Flyrock: Measures the distance and potential danger of rocks thrown from the blast site. Back Break: Indicates the extent of rock damage beyond the intended blast perimeter. Air-Overpressure (AOp): Measures the force of the air blast, which can impact surrounding areas. Safety & Environmental KPIs Ground Vibration: Tracks the level of ground shaking caused by the blast, which is critical for maintaining structural integrity and minimizing environmental impact. Safety Incidents: The number of safety-related incidents during drilling and blasting operations. Overall Operational KPIs Cycle Time Optimization: Focuses on reducing the overall time taken for drilling and blasting cycles. Volume Blasted: Measures the total volume of rock successfully blasted within a given period. Energy and Environmental Metrics: Includes energy consumption and other environmental impacts to ensure sustainable operations.