1. Surface rock excavation scenario -- 2. An overview of blasthole drilling -- 3. Properties of rocks -- 4. Brief history of rotary blasthole drilling -- 5. Rotary blasthole drilling bits -- 6. Rotary blasthole drilling accessories -- 7. Rotary blasthole drills -- 8. Compressed air and air compressors -- 9. Mechanics of rock fracture under a drill bit -- 10. Flushing the blasthole -- 11. Effect of altitude and severe weather -- 12. Computers in rotary blasthole drilling -- 13. Concepts for rotary blasthole drill design -- 14. Cost analysis of rotary blasthole drilling -- 15. Procurement of rotary blasthole drills -- 16. Tips for operating rotary blasthole drills -- 17. Mechanics of blast fragmentation -- 18. Properties of explosives -- 19. Thermochemistry of explosives -- 20. Explosives : their history and composition -- 21. Tests on explosives -- 22. Blasting consumable and accessories -- 23. Hazards to and from blasting -- 24. Properties of rock masses -- 25. Methods and patterns of charging blastholes -- 26. Design of a surface blast.