(from the article `mining`) A pattern of parallel blastholes is drilled into the rock face at the end of the drift. The diameter of these holes ranges from 38 to 64 mm, but in ... Where strata are hard, drilling and blasting are necessary. Blastholes are generally drilled from the surface, are vertical, and vary in diameter ... [2 re... Found on http://www.britannica.com/eb/a-z/b/77