Extras · 1 of 4

A typical day

Early start at the quarry or cut. Walk the bench and check the drill pattern. Drillers bore the holes to depth while the blaster measures each one, calculates the charge, and the crew loads explosives and connects the detonators. Then the careful part: clear the area, post guards, sound the sirens, fire, wait, and walk the muck pile to check every hole went off. Fill in the blast log. Loaders and haul trucks move in behind you.