Abstract: The present invention is directed to a boom supporting a slide assembly. The slide assembly includes a guide track, a drill, and a stemming member for use in small charge blasting. The drill is initially moved along the guide track to form the drill hole. After the hole is completed, the drill is retracted along the guide track, and the stemming member is moved along the guide track and placed in the drill hole. After the stemming member fractures the rock, the stemming member is retracted along the guide track and the steps repeated to break new material. The stemming member has a breech and barrel that are located in the hole. The breech is either side- or front-discharging.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 9, 1999
Date of Patent:
February 19, 2002
Assignee:
BeckTek Limited
Inventors:
John D. Watson, Paul Krogh, David B. Carnegie-Smith, Mihailo Gavrilovic, Ockert R. Fourie