Cast blasting - In the more remote areas, some mines use the explosive's energy to horizontilly displace the overburden into the adjacent pit (casting). Up to 50 percent of the overburden may be moved in this way. This type of blasting facilitates overburden removal and saves on equipment wear and tear. This video shows a blast that is about a mile long. Detonation begins at the far end of the pit and progresses towards the camera. Watch the material move laterally. Very little debris is thrown into the air. The large dust cloud is the result of the rock hitting the spoil bank, not the explosives.
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