First blast
On 23.03.2010, Ohorongo Cement conducted its first blast in the Sargberg quarry (Fig.). Erastus Shilongo, blasting supervisor at Ohorongo Cement, ignited the 2150 kg water gel explosives distributed over 144 holes.
The blast prepares the first 600 m2 of quarry ground for excavation. While the Ohorongo Cement plant is still at the construction phase and marketing of the first cement is only scheduled for January 2011, the blast distinguishes the quarry as the first link to become operational in the productive chain of the entire Ohorongo Cement plant. This timely start of excavation is necessary to give access to all the different mineral qualities which will be mined at commissioning of the plant later in the year. When fully operational, about 5500 t of raw material will be excavated daily from the quarry.
