In mining, efficient blasting is critical to achieving optimal fragmentation that is compatible with the primary crusher inlet (Taiwo et al.,2022). Taiwo et al. (2023) mentioned that oversize in a blast as those fragments larger than the crusher inlet, and “boulders” are rocks larger than the design spacing or burden set in the blast plan. Ideally, a well-designed blast should produce fragments small enough to avoid boulders, with exceptions mainly occurring due to overbreak. When boulders do appear, they often disrupt the flow, leading to additional costs and delays. Major Causes of Boulder Formation in Blasting 1. Insufficient Explosive Energy: If the explosive energy does not propagate well throughout the rock mass, it can lead to incomplete breakage, resulting in larger fragments or boulders. 2. Improper Burden and Spacing: When burden (the distance from the explosive to the nearest free face) and spacing between blast holes are not correctly set for the rock type, boulders are more likely to form, as larger blocks remain unbroken. 3. Rock Geology Variability: Variations in rock structure, including joints, faults, and rock density, can cause irregular breakage, sometimes leaving behind large, hard-to-break boulders. 4. Blasting Techniques and Equipment: Issues such as drill deviations, inconsistent hole loading, or use of inappropriate blasting techniques can lead to poor fragmentation and oversized rocks. How WipFrag Can Assist with Boulder Assessment WipFrag software offers powerful tools to assess blast outcomes, helping to identify and manage boulders effectively: 1. Boulder Counting Tool: WipFrag’s boulder counting tool analyzes the blast results in two ways: First, it identifies the 50 largest fragments, mapping their size and location within the blast area. This overview helps operators spot and address oversized rocks quickly. Second, it assesses fragments based on specific size criteria. By inputting the crusher inlet size, the software can screen blast results to flag any particles exceeding the crusher’s capacity. These oversized fragments are highlighted, and their dimensions are displayed, allowing for informed decisions on handling. 2. DX Tool and Specification Envelope: The DX tool and specification envelope in WipFrag enable users to set fragmentation size goals and monitor compliance with these parameters. By defining a specification envelope, the user can ensure that the majority of the blast output falls within an acceptable range for crusher compatibility. The DX tool allows for further refinement, analyzing the distribution of different fragment sizes, which assists in fine-tuning future blast designs. Manage the blast through continuous assessment, putting safety first at all times.