Drilling and Blasting – A Specialized Industry
Building homes on sheer rock or terracing along the steep, rocky slopes of the Okanagan Valley is a demanding architectural feat. "Drilling and blasting" may be the first step. This is a specialized process requiring skill, knowledge, and experience. A successful blast requires a proper drill pattern for the desired result, the right explosives in appropriate quantities, the right sequence of timing, and the right place of initiation.
Beyond new home site preparation, drill-and-blast is also the most popular method for excavation and quarry mining throughout the world. This process includes drilling blast holes and loading them with explosives, detonating the blast, removing blasted rock (mucking), and then scaling to remove loose rock debris. Most excavator drills are capable of drilling 2-inch to 6-inch holes.
You may be familiar with the end result of rock blasting known as a rock “cut” along our B.C. highways. But drilling and blasting is also used in civil engineering projects such as preparing land for pipelines, new subdivisions, scaling, and rock bolting for stabilization.
Breathtaking vineyard and lake views are the result of specialized site preparation at many of our Okanagan’s boutique wineries. Enjoy a glass of wine and an unparalleled view sitting at a hillside outdoor dining patio. Drill and blast specialists ensure these spectacular facilities are built to engineered specifications.
Excavating companies like TwinCon Enterprises use their drilling and blasting expertise on many infrastructure projects like reservoirs, waterlines, and sewer lines. When hydraulic rock breaking isn’t feasible, drilling and blasting is the solution.
Drilling and blasting is also one phase of aggregate production, or quarry drilling. Mining crushed stone generally requires blasting away solid bedrock, also known as ledge-rock, breaking the rock into rubble suitable for crushing. The aggregate produced is crucial for the development and maintenance of many Okanagan residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects. We have several open pit mines in our region, providing common aggregates and specialty rock for home interiors and outdoor living. If you’ve been to a retail outlet lately and admired the “real” rock kitchen countertops or outdoor paving stones, it’s possible they’ve been locally quarried by the drilling and blasting technique.
When you’re planning to build your new home or commercial property, call a rock drilling and slope stabilization contractor to price out various options. They’ll answer your questions about how to prepare your site safely and economically, and maximize the views of our rolling hills and crystal blue lakes.
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