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If you weren’t able to join us this year in Hollywood, Florida for Re:Con 2012, you missed a great conference that brought together an impressive line-up of speakers in the field of blasting and communication.

In fact, after the first day Nick Prizant, General Manager of Madera Quarry LLC. said, “If I don’t learn anything more after the first day, my attendance was well worth it.”

Leaders in the vibration and acoustic industry identified strategies for improving blast performance, established damage criteria and offered tips to improve communications.

Russ Sawatzky, Production Manager of Inland Aggregates said, “The amount of money that I am going to save in one blast, from implementing things that I’ve learned about blast design, will pay for my expenses and time.”

Here is what you missed:

• Dr. Vincent Covello of the Center for Risk Communication, started the conference off by sharing his fundamental keys to communicating and tips to engage people given the current economy and industrial conditions.  He also stressed the importance of having a basic risk communication plan to ensure you are communicating effectively in stressful situations.
• R. Frank Chiappetta of Blasting Analysis International, Inc., offered several technical presentations throughout the conference.  He discussed the problems and solutions regarding explosive decking, stressed the importance of drill/blast audits for quarry managers, offered new thoughts on blast design for electronic detonators and provided information about predicting fragmentation distributions for aggregate operations.
• Christopher Hopkins of The Saint Group, stressed the importance of conducting political due diligence and offered tools for each stage and situation of the mine permitting process.
• Michael Donahue of GeoSonics/Vibra-Tech, provided an in-depth look at why normal conditions in a structure are commonly blamed on blasting.
• Charles H. Dowding, Ph.D. of Northwestern University, discussed the special considerations for comparing blast and climatologically-induced response of cracks.
• Mohamad Sharif, P.E. of GeoSonics/Vibra-Tech, shared his views on developing site specific vibration criteria to limit stress on nearby pipelines.
• Matthew Pilz of GeoSonics/Vibra-Tech, discussed the obstacles and conditions faced when designing a shot under near field blasting conditions.
• Baron Fidler of Dyno Nobel, Inc., stressed the importance of a communication assessment as a way to manage risk and reduce blasting liability.
• Kelly Henry of Henry & Germann Public Affairs, LLC, explained the importance of good public relations and stressed the first objective of a community information session is to learn, not inform.
• Doug Rudenko, P.G. of GeoSonics/Vibra-Tech, offered insight into how using Iso-Seis evaluation and Vibra-Map technology can mitigate blasting complaints for aggregate mining operations in urban settings.
• Tom Shaver of Sandvik Mining and Construction, discussed the importance of drilling straight and expertly placed holes and introduced a tube steel product for top hammer applications to achieve successful blasts.
• Neal Lee of Nelson Brothers, LLC., provided examples of well and poorly designed blasts, addressing some common mistakes.
• Jonathan Ferdinand of GeoSonics/Vibra-Tech, discussed new technology available to continuously monitor noise and dust conditions at neighboring homes and the worksite.

For more detailed information about these topics or how GeoSonics/Vibra-Tech can help you integrate these strategies for better managing your risk and exposure to the community, please call us today at 1-866-806-9676.

Re:Con 2012 concludes today after some important presentations from experts like Neal Lee, R. Frank Chiappetta, Jeffrey A. Straw, Douglas Rudenko, P.G. and Jonathan Ferdinand.

GeoSonics/Vibra-Tech would like to thank all of the speakers and those individuals who attended this year’s conference.  We hope you enjoyed joining in on the lively conversation about the future of blasting.

Keynote Speaker Dr. Covello

Dr. Covello and Kelly Henry

Following a full day of notable presentations, today’s sessions will share tips on how to hold effective community information sessions and discuss blast designs for electronic detonators.  Attendees will hear from industry leaders like Baron Fidler, Kelly Henry, Douglas Rudenko, P.G., R. Frank Chiappetta, Tom Shaver and Neal Lee.

View the Re:Con Conference Topics to learn more about what is being presented at Re:Con 2012.

Re:Con 2012 Welcome Reception

GeoSonics/Vibra-Tech’s Premier Conference for Managing Blast-Associated Risk, Re:Con 2012, kicked off last night at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood, Florida with a Welcome Reception.

Today, attendees will hear from Keynote Speaker, Vincent Covello, Ph.D., as he explains the rich science behind effective communication by looking at examples of communication successes and failures in the mining industry. He will also share expert tips to help prepare and implement a risk and crisis communication plan.

The day is full with an impressive line-up of speakers including R. Frank Chiappetta, Christopher M. Hopkins, Michael Donahue, Charles H. Dowding, Ph.D., Mohammed Sharif, P.E. and Matthew Pilz.  Attendees will then enjoy an Evening Reception hosted by GeoSonics/Vibra-Tech.

View the Re:Con 2012 Agenda to learn more about these presentations and the presentations scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.

Blasters who attend Re:Con 2012 can earn training hours toward their Kentucky and Missouri Blaster’s License Renewal.

The Re:Con 2012 registration deadline is quickly approaching.  Register Today!

By R. Frank Chiappetta

Did you know that the type of explosive used for close-in blasting can increase or decrease the vibration levels by two-fold?

It is typical in the mining and explosives industries to resist changes in the blast designs and explosive applications.  While many of the past practices were applicable in their time, many are no longer valid with the new knowledge base acquired within the last few years.

For example:

• There is no such thing as overdriving commercial explosives with larger primers.
• Using less explosives in a hole can actually achieve the same or better fragmentation.
• Firing a blast with an infinite number of rows against a final wall will not damage the highwall.
• Increasing the maximum weight per delay up to 25 fold will have very little effect on the vibration levels.
• The use of air decks anywhere in the hole can reduce vibration levels by an average of between 25 – 33%.
• Noxious fumes are not possible if you can assure a full order detonation for the full length of an explosive column.
• Multiple priming points spaced uniformly within an explosive column will increase casting.

Join me as I examine Myths and Facts in the Explosive Industry at Re:Con 2012 – The Conference for Managing Blast-Associated Risk hosted by GeoSonics/Vibra-Tech on January 15-18, 2012 in Hollywood, FL.

R. Frank Chiappetta is the President and Explosives Applications Engineer of Blasting Analysis International, Inc.  Over his 36-year career, Chiappetta has worked on major projects around the world, including the first expansion and deepening of the Panama Canal.   He received the Distinguished Service Award from the International Society of Explosives Engineers in 1990 for his outstanding technical contribution to the mining/explosive industry.