Assessing the effects of rock mass heterogeneity on blasting results using photogrammetry
D.A. Koptyakov1, N.N. Bochkarev2, T.F. Kharisov1, D.V. Prishchepa1, N.A. Masalskiy1
1 Institute of Mining Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
2 Ural Asbestos Mining and Processing Plant PJSC, Asbest, Russia Federation
Russian Mining Industry №3/ 2026 p. 21-28
Abstract: The study focuses on the photogrammetric analysis of particle-size distribution in the muck pile using the GRAVIX hardware and software suite. The relevance of the work is determined by the need for rapid assessment of particle sizes in conditions of geologically heterogeneous rock masses characterized by anisotropy of physical, mechanical, and structural properties. The aim of the study is to assess the effects of geological features of the rock mass on the oversized rocks and to evaluate the applicability of photogrammetry for in-process control of the drilling and blasting operations. The study analyzes the distribution of particle size fractions, determines the proportion of oversized rocks, and performs processing of the data with account of the block volumes and geological descriptions. The results show that proportion of the oversized fragments increases when moving from rocks with longitudinal fiber structure to those with the transverse fiber structure, which is consistent with their crushability characteristics. The greatest contribution to formation of oversized rocks comes from serpentinites with coarse grains (5.5%) and peridotites with banded veins (3.2%), whilst interbedding leads to a synergetic deterioration in the blasting results. The proposed approach of photogrammetric analysis, combined with a structural-and-geological description, provides a rapid means of monitoring the fragmentation quality and identifying patterns in how the rock mass heterogeneities affect the particle size distribution, thereby laying the foundation for targeted optimisation of the drilling and blasting operations. The results obtained demonstrate that photogrammetric analysis identifies such patterns promptly without the need for labourintensive field measurements or laboratory testing, thus improving the management of the production process. The novelty of the research lies in the integrated interpretation of the photogrammetric data with due consideration of the asbestos-bearing features of the rock mass, and in justifying the use of the GRAVIX suite for rapid prediction of zones with higher risks of large-size particle formation
Keywords: rock fragmentation, image processing, muckpile, photogrammetry, drilling and blasting, blasted rock mass, openpit mining, blast quality control, oversized rocks, particle size distribution
Acknowledgements: The authors express their gratitude to A.V. Dremin, Managing Director of DAVTEKH LLC, for his information support regarding the operation of the GRAVIX hardware and software suite, and to the geological service of the Uralasbest Industrial Complex for clarifying the descriptions of the rock samples. The work was performed within the framework of State Contract No.075-00408-26-00. State Reg. No. 123012300007-7. Topic 3 (2025-2027).
For citation: Koptyakov D.A., Bochkarev N.N., Kharisov T.F., Prishchepa D.V., Masalskiy N.A. Assessing the effects of rock mass heterogeneity on blasting results using photogrammetry. Russian Mining Industry. 2026;(3):21–28. https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2026-3-21-28
Article info
Received: 14.02.2026
Revised: 24.03.2026
Accepted: 08.04.2026
Information about the authors
Dmitry A. Koptyakov – Researcher, Institute of Mining Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Nikolay N. Bochkarev – Leading Engineer of Technical Department, Ural Asbestos Mining and Processing Plant PJSC, Asbest, Russia Federation
Timur F. Kharisov – Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Head of Laboratory, Institute of Mining Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
Dmitry V. Prishchepa – Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Senior Researcher, Institute of Mining Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
Nikolay A. Masalskiy – Junior Researcher, Institute of Mining Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
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