Abstract
Explosive energy is adopted in hard rock mining to disintegrate rocks and consolidated formations to desirable sizes for
appropriate end use. The fragmentation process may result in undesirable vibrations that can impact on structures within the
vicinity of the blast. Ground vibrations and airblast resulting from blasting have been found to induce or expand existing
cracks and alter the integrity of building and engineering structures. Inadequate study of pre-mining conditions of structures
within surrounding environments of mining activities that utilize blasting for fragmenting rocks have led to a series of
conflicts between nearby affected communities and mine operators; consequently, affecting production, corporate image and
worker morale. To mitigate potential conflicts due to blast vibrations, it is necessary to conduct baseline structural
assessment to ascertain the integrity of building structures within the vicinity of mining operations. This paper demonstrates
the significance of baseline structural assessment around proposed mining sites. A significant number (˃ 50%) of existing
building structures within the study area were observed to have developed multiple cracks.
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