The course will address the mechanics and practical applications and current technologies in rock fragmentation; theories of rock breakage and fragmentation; rock mass properties; structure and discontinuities and their impact on blast behaviour. Blasting theories and types of explosives and blast initiation procedures; blast designs for both underground and surface mining applications; blast hazard management; blast vibration and impact on structures and mining excavations; state-of-the-art blasting practices and technologies; and alternatives to conventional blasting for rock fragmentation.