Analysis of seismic impacts of blasting at the “Vrtlište” open-pit mine during the advancement of mining operations

One of the most demanding processes in mining is drilling and blasting which require continuous analysis of their environmental and structural impacts. Since this process needs significant financial resources for its implementation, the goal is to find an optimal model for the blast zone geometry, charge weights, and types of explosives for the analysed location at the open pit mine “Vrtlište”. Through the analysis of seismic measurement data, an assessment will be made of whether it is necessary to change the current blasting conditions in relation to the seismic impact on nearby facilities and enviroment. Accordingly, the open-pit mine has monitored blasting effects for decades, adjusting operational parameters based on historical seismic data. According to the dataset, in-situ measurement and monitoring began in the late 20th century, but this paper specifically presents data from 2020 to 2025. Mining operations affect nearby communities, requiring the application of an optimized blasting model to mitigate negative impacts. This study assesses the seismic effects of mass blasting at the “Vrtlište” open pit mine, using an optimized drilling configuration (borehole diameter 140 mm, q = 0.31 kg/m³ explosive consumption). Although the measured ground vibrations (7–19 Hz) technically meet the DIN 4150 standard, the key novelty of this work lies in revealing the limitations of the strict application of international guidelines to non-standardized, undocumented local structures within seismic hazard zones. Based on long-term field monitoring and taking into account local structural vulnerability, a stricter, specific peak particle velocity (PPV) threshold of 2.5 mm/s is proposed for frequencies below 10 Hz. This adjusted limitation has a dual purpose: to protect fragile local infrastructure and to reduce impacts on people. The article specifies the use of the NONEL system to alleviate misconceptions about air overpressure (AOp) among local residents, providing a practical framework for balancing engineering work requirements and community welfare.