Rock splitting techniques for reducing undesirable cracks and fissures in rock salt blocks

Massive deposits of rock salt are mined in the Salt Range area Pakistan. The main export products include lamps, blocks, and tiles, while local consumption includes chemical industry domestic use. profitable production for value addition depends on quality, size, shape block. processing is easier when very few cracks present blocks. current mining practice involves drilling blasting, which introduces undesired fractures material. This paper focuses extraction blocks by applying conventional cuboid-shaped block methods used quarries. techniques wedges feathers, expansion chemicals, blasting with low-yield explosives. Experimental work involved both laboratory-scale in-situ field testing. Laboratory experiments assisted determination splitting force, load-deformation curves, other mechanics parameters. Regression analysis proposes a relationship estimation radial strain from load case feathers method. force obtained laboratory tests was to confirm accuracy already published empirical relationship. results as well showed that technique most suitable method desired shape, minimizing cracking.