Blasting technique

A method of mining in a rock formation, comprising:

• drilling blastholes extending into the rock formation, each of the blastholes having a depth between a first end and a second end, wherein for each blasthole the second end thereof is deeper into the rock formation than the first end thereof;
• loading the blastholes with alternating layers of explosives charges and stemming material to establish a succession of blasting decks or sections extending across and within the rock formation including a first blasting deck or section and at least a second blasting deck or section, wherein each blasting deck or section beyond the first blasting deck or section extends deeper into the rock formation than the first blasting deck or section;
• and
• after establishing the multiple blasting decks or sections extending across and within the rock formation, selectively initiating the explosives charges in a series of stages based on blasting deck or section proceeding consecutively from the first blasting deck or section to each successive blasting deck or section;
• wherein during initiating the explosives charges in a given blasting deck or section, the explosive charges in each deck or section successive to the given blasting deck or section are slept while broken rock produced by the given blasting deck or section is excavated;
• and
• wherein after each stage excavation takes place to progress mining in an intended direction;
• and
• wherein excavation corresponding to at least one stage comprises retaining a portion of broken rock produced following the initiation of a given blasting deck to arrange the portion of broken rock over a next successive blasting deck to provide above the next successive blasting deck a false floor that withstands movement of excavation equipment.