Browsing by Author "Samarakoon, KGAU"

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Analysis of efficiency and impact by deck charging patterns on rock blasting at Aruwakkalu Limestone Quarry, Sri Lanka
(Department of Earth Resources Engineering, 2023-08-28) Surangani, RKH; Shanthilal, S; Sandaruwan, DLCD; Chaminda, SP; Samarakoon, KGAU; Senarathna, TMB
There is a potential to enhance both the efficiency and the quantity of explosives in limestone excavation utilising deck charge patterns in the Aruwakkalu limestone quarry in Sri Lanka. To achieve this a series of combinations with ANFO and deck charge patterns were simulated using a numerical analysis software named JKSimblast – 2D bench. This study entails simulating and validating the existing blasting geometry in the rock blasting practice. The fragmentation curves of the real world blast events were analysed and plotted using an AI platform called “Streyos”. Subsequently, the blasting geometry was optimised by adjusting the spacing and burden with different charge amounts. A comparison was made between the explosive energy distribution figures of the simulated blast with optimised blasting geometry and the deck charging blast series. To simulate the limestone condition for the rock mass, throughout different simulations, the rock specific gravity (SG) was defined as 2.6. Optimised spacing and burden for a 10.3 m deep and 72 mm diameter blast hole pattern were found as 2.9 m and 2.4 m respectively, ensuring favourable conditions with controlled ground vibration (5 mms-1) and air blast overpressure (120 dB). The optimal configuration for minimising boulder formation in the upper section of the hole was 23.17 kg of ANFO quantity per hole with a two-charge deck pattern.
item: Conference-Full-text
Geomatics for monitoring rehabilitation Status in Aruwakkalu Limestone Quarry, Sri Lanka
(Department of Earth Resources Engineering, 2023-08-28) Waravita, CS; Madhuranga, AU; Rodrigo, MAJ; Chaminda, SP; Jayawardena, CL; Samarakoon, KGAU
Aruwakkalu limestone quarry in Sri Lanka, owned and operated by Siam City Cement (Lanka) Limited, is one of the largest limestone deposits in Sri Lanka. Since the limestone deposit is seated in a shallow depth, it is being excavated by utilising opencast mining methods. The target main product from the extracted limestone is to produce cement. As the first step of ehabilitation, the land restoration is carried out by backfilling the mined-out areas with the previously stripped overburden material. To achieve the final landform, replantation of vegetation cover is formed by planting native trees on top of the re-filled land area. This study aims to evaluate UAV suitability for monitoring rehabilitation in the Aruwakkalu limestone quarry, geomatics-based vegetation analysis in rehabilitated areas, and the assessment of the drainage system of the study area. Aerial images were acquired from an UAV equipped with a multispectral sensor and the data was post processed by utilising Pix4D, ENVI, and ArcGIS software. The processed data was classified into different regions according to the rehabilitated year and further analyses revealed that there were certain areas which had poor vegetation cover which requires revegetation measures. Analyses of the terrain models of the study area revealed irregular drainage patterns, which need to be rectified by grading and forming better landforms. The findings provide valuable insights for monitoring and improving rehabilitation efforts in similar mining sites, contributing to sustainable mining operations.
item: Conference-Full-text
Investigation of rare earth elements potential in iron ore deposits in Sri Lanka
(Department of Earth Resources Engineering, 2021-12) Samarakoon, KGAU; Chamilka, WTH; Areekaran, T; Dushyantha, NP; Batapola, NM; Premasiri, HMR; Ratnayake, NP; Abeysinghe, AMKB; Dissanayake, DMDOK; Jayawardena, CL
Sri Lankan geological terrain is mainly comprised of three different types of Iron ore deposits, which are not in the scale for economic extraction. When we consider the iron deposits on a global scale, most of them are associated with high concentrations of rare earth elements (REE). This research is focused on investigating the potential for REEs of the Sri Lankan iron ore deposits. Three major iron ore deposits of different genesis were selected for sampling, and collected samples were subjected to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis. Analysis revealed a high potential for REE in Panirendawa and Buttala deposits, while Dela deposits showed the least potential. Although high concentrations were shown in a few samples collected from magnetite deposits, it also contains high variation within a few (10–100) meter distances. This variation was due to different degrees of weathering and transportation of iron ore materials. The highest REE potential was associated with the heavily weathered and transported material rather than the fresh iron ore. If the explored potential for REEs is consistent with the associated geological profile of these iron ore bodies, they could present a mineable REE source for Sri Lanka.
item: Conference-Full-text
Optimization of blasting geometry and explosive quantity in control blasting for dimension stone extraction
(Department of Earth Resources Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2022-12-23) Kavinda, SWH; Siriwardana, NAHPER; Chathuranga, JPD; Chaminda, SP; Dassanayake, ABN; Jayawardena, CL; Samarakoon, KGAU; Jayawardena, LC
Dimension stone industry is a widespread market in the globe and has shown promising trends for expansion in the recent years. Dimension stones can be defined as, natural stones that have been selected and extracted to produce stones of precise size and shape. Products of dimension stones have been used for construction engineering practices and various other ornamental purposes. The available extraction practices for dimension stones can be categorized mainly into mechanical cutting and splitting techniques. Pre-split blasting is one of the splitting techniques that can be utilized to liberate dimension stone blocks from the rock deposit. The major drawback of utilizing explosive blasting in dimension stone extraction is the possibility of having high amount of wastes as a result of unnecessary fractures from the excessive explosive energy. By studying the relationship between blasting geometry and explosive quantity towards forming fractures in the selected ornamental stone, the aforementioned issue can be addressed to some extent. Software simulations were done to determine the blast design's ideal parameters for achieving an effective explosive energy distribution in the rock mass. Validation of the obtained simulation results through a field blast can be suggested as further development in the study area.