IExpE Specialist Examination No 6
In the two papers candidates will be examined in funneling and shaft sinking in coal and other mines, and in construction tunnels varying from small excavations being driven for sewerage disposal, to the largest bulk storage chambers.
Paper 1:
- The Blasting Action of High Explosives Used in Tunneling and Shaft Sinking
- The Characteristics of Explosives Used in Tunneling and Shaft Sinking, Including ANFO and Permitted Explosives
- The Types of Detonators and Accessories Normally Used in Tunneling and Shaft Sinking
- The Rock Breakage Mechanism as Applied to Tunneling Practice
- Principles of Blast Hole Geometry Ground Vibration and Other Environmental Considerations at the Point of Use in the Tunnel or Shaft, and Elsewhere as a Result of Tunneling or Shaft Sinking Operations
- The Storage, Issue and Transport of Explosives and Detonators for Use in Tunneling and Shaft Sinking
- Safety Legislation and Good Practices Relevant both to Tunneling and to Construction and Mining Operations Shotfiring Techniques
- Dealing with Misfires
Paper 2:
A two-hour paper of questions in essay form, requiring the candidate to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and experience of the use of explosives in this field.
Necessary Background Reading
- Tunneling ’79 to Tunneling ’95
The papers presented to the International Symposia on Tunneling
(Available from the library of the Institute of Mining and Metallurgy & The British Tunneling Society, 44 Portland Place, London, W1N 4BR Tel: 020 7580 3802)
- Explosives at Coal and other Safety-Lamp Mines 1993
HSE Books
- The Stratified Ironstone Shale & Fireclay Mines (Explosives Regulations) 1957
HSE Books
- The Miscellaneous Mines (Explosives) Regulations 1959
HSE Books
- BS 6164 : Safety in Tunnelling in the Construction Industry
BSI
Advised Reading
- Rock Engineering and Excavation in an Urban Environment
ISBN 0-90048887-5
- Applied Explosives Technology for Construction and Mining New Edition 1995
Stig O Olofsson, ISBN 91-7970634-7 Applex, Arla, Sweden
- Underground Excavations in Rock
E Hock & ET Brown ISBN 0-90048855-7
Supporting Literature
- Explosives and Rock Blasting
Atlas Powder Company
- Rock Mechanics Brady & Brown
ISBN 0-412-475587
