Purpose. To develop a new theory for the rocks destruction by blasting using a description of the formation processes of zones with various mass state around the charging cavity. Methods. The new theory for the rock mass destruction by blasting has been developed based on the use of the well-known elasticity theory laws and the main provisions of the quasi-static-wave hypothesis about the mechanism of a solid medium destruction under the blasting action. The models of zones of crumpling, intensive fragmentation and fracturing that arise around the charging cavity in the rock mass during its blasting destruction, depending on the physical and mechanical pro-perties of the rock mass, the energy characteristics of explosives and the rock pressure impact, have been developed using the technique of mathematical modeling. Findings. Based on the mathematical modeling results of the blasting action in a solid medium, the mathematical models have been developed of the zones of crumpling, intensive fragmentation and fracturing, which are formed around the char-ging cavity in a monolithic or fractured rock mass. Originality. The rock mass destruction by blasting is realized according to the stepwise patterns of forming the zones of crumpling, intensive fragmentation and fracturing, which takes into account the physical and mechanical properties of the medium, the energy characteristics of explosives and the rock pressure impact. Practical implications. When using the calculation results in the mathematical modeling the radii of the zones of crumpling, intensive fragmentation and fracturing in the rock mass around the charging cavity, it is possible to determine the rational distance between the blasthole charges in the blasting chart, as well as to calculate the line of least resistance for designing huge blasts.

INCREASING ECOLOGICAL SAFETY DURING UNDERGROUND MINING OF IRON-ORE DEPOSITS