/ Hydropower
Mahl Hydropower Project Exploratory Adits
Rock excavation by drilling and controlled blasting for the 590 MW Mahl Hydropower Project feasibility study
Client
Shanghai Investigation, Design & Research Institute (SIDRI)
Project sponsor
China Three Gorges Corporation
Location
River Jhelum, AJK (District Bagh) and Punjab (District Rawalpindi)
Year
2015
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Main project photo: Mahl Hydropower Exploratory Adits (wide, about 2000 × 900 px)
748 m
2 main adits of 374 m
240 m
4 adits of 60 m
590 MW
Hydropower project
The Project
Overview
The 590 MW Mahl Hydropower Project on the River Jhelum required a bankable feasibility study, carried out by SIDRI for the project sponsor, China Three Gorges Corporation, under the oversight of the Private Power & Infrastructure Board (PPIB).
Surface and subsurface geological investigations needed exploratory adits driven into rock on both banks of the river. Rafique Shah & Co. was engaged for the rock excavation by drilling and controlled blasting.
Scope of Work
Two exploratory adits of 374 m each (748 m in total)
Four exploratory adits of 60 m each (240 m in total)
Sites on the left bank of the Jhelum in District Bagh (AJK) and on the right bank near village Phagwari, Tehsil Murree, District Rawalpindi
Handling of commercial explosives and accessories under a short-period explosives licence obtained for the project
How We Did It
Our Approach
01
Licensing
A short-period explosives licence for possessing and using explosives at the project was obtained through the Chief Inspector of Explosives, supported by PPIB.
02
Tunnel blasting
Adits advanced by drilling and controlled blasting rounds: cut holes first, then easers and trimmers fired in delay sequence to shape the profile.
03
Mucking & advance
Blasted rock removed after each round, with ventilation and scaling before the next drilling cycle.
04
Coordination
Work carried out in coordination with SIDRI's geological investigation programme.
On Site
Project Photos
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Adit portal on the Jhelum riverbank (about 1200 × 900 px)
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Drilling a blast round inside the adit (about 1200 × 900 px)
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Site team with SIDRI engineers (about 1200 × 900 px)
Client Reference
Add a short excerpt from the client's letter here once they approve quoting it.
Source: SIDRI 'To Whom It May Concern' certificate, 2 December 2015
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Scan of the client letter or certificate (portrait, about 900 × 1200 px)
Planning Similar Work?
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