EARTH

[21001-14-02] Green Mining in Thailand: Alternatives to Traditional Methods

○Raphael Bissen¹, Sunthorn Pumjan¹, Apisit Numprasanthai¹, Sakonvan Chawchai¹ (1. Chulalongkorn University)

Chairman：Raphael Bissen （Chulalongkorn University）, Carlito Tabelin (Hokkaido University)

Keywords:surface miner, silent chemical demolition agent, green biocompatible blasting approach, green ANFO

Blasting is an adequate excavation technique for extracting ore deposits in both surface and underground mines, but causes some undesirable consequences, such as blasting vibration, air shockwaves, fly rock, noise, toxic gases, etc. Especially nitrogen oxide (NO, NO₂) and carbon monoxide (CO) gases together with dust impose high risks to the ecosystem. Massive amounts of these pollutants can be discharged annually into the mines and into the environment using traditional blasting methods. This causes an unsafe environment for the personnel inside the mine and for the surrounding ecosystem. The purpose of this paper is to discuss some potential alternatives, e.g. surface miner, silent chemical demolition agent (SCDA), and green biocompatible blasting approach, their current and future use, feasibility and cost. A modification of the traditional blasting process is inevitable to mitigate its impact on the society and environment.