Research Article

Prediction of Blasting Efficiency in Mining: A Comprehensive Evaluation with Boosting-Based Machine Learning Algorithms

Volume: 9 Number: 2 March 16, 2026
TR EN

Prediction of Blasting Efficiency in Mining: A Comprehensive Evaluation with Boosting-Based Machine Learning Algorithms

Abstract

This study focuses on predicting blasting efficiency in underground mining operations using real-world operational data. The primary objective is to accurately estimate blasting efficiency through regression analysis, leveraging the predictive power of state-of-the-art boosting-based machine learning (ML) algorithms. Given the relatively small and multi-variate nature of the dataset, algorithms with low overfitting risk, flexibility, and high speed were preferred. We comparatively evaluate five different cutting-edge boosting algorithms: Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Categorical Boosting (CatBoost), Natural Gradient Boosting (NGBoost), and Histogram-based Gradient Boosting Machine (HistGBM). Additionally, to further enhance prediction performance, three distinct ensemble learning strategies—Simple Averaging, Weighted Averaging, and Weighted Average with the Best 3 Models—were implemented and tested. The methodology involved comprehensive data preprocessing, including the removal of irrelevant variables like Date, numerical transformation of categorical features using Target Encoding, and normalization of numerical inputs with StandardScaler. The dataset, comprising 652 observations from 2019-2020 underground blasting operations, was split into 80% training and 20% testing sets, and 10-Fold Cross Validation was employed for model training. Hyperparameter optimization for each boosting algorithm was performed using manual tuning, GridSearchCV, and RandomizedSearchCV. Model performance was assessed using R2, Mean Squared Error (MSE), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), and Mean Absolute Error (MAE) metrics for both cross-validation and test sets. Our findings indicate that ensemble methods significantly improve prediction accuracy. The comparative analysis allowed for the identification of the most suitable machine learning approach for blasting efficiency prediction. This research contributes significantly to the scientific literature by providing a robust framework for enhancing blasting efficiency and optimizing operational processes through data-driven decision support systems in mining environments. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of combining multiple boosting algorithms and ensemble techniques for accurate and reliable blasting efficiency prediction.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Reinforcement Learning, Drilling and Blasting in Rock Engineering

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

March 16, 2026

Submission Date

August 6, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 3, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 2

APA
Bayraktar, C., Eker, H., & Demir Şahin, D. (2026). Prediction of Blasting Efficiency in Mining: A Comprehensive Evaluation with Boosting-Based Machine Learning Algorithms. Osmaniye Korkut Ata Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü Dergisi, 9(2), 775-799. https://doi.org/10.47495/okufbed.1758876
AMA
1.Bayraktar C, Eker H, Demir Şahin D. Prediction of Blasting Efficiency in Mining: A Comprehensive Evaluation with Boosting-Based Machine Learning Algorithms. Osmaniye Korkut Ata University Journal of The Institute of Science and Techno. 2026;9(2):775-799. doi:10.47495/okufbed.1758876
Chicago
Bayraktar, Cihan, Hasan Eker, and Demet Demir Şahin. 2026. “Prediction of Blasting Efficiency in Mining: A Comprehensive Evaluation With Boosting-Based Machine Learning Algorithms”. Osmaniye Korkut Ata Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü Dergisi 9 (2): 775-99. https://doi.org/10.47495/okufbed.1758876.
EndNote
Bayraktar C, Eker H, Demir Şahin D (March 1, 2026) Prediction of Blasting Efficiency in Mining: A Comprehensive Evaluation with Boosting-Based Machine Learning Algorithms. Osmaniye Korkut Ata Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü Dergisi 9 2 775–799.
IEEE
[1]C. Bayraktar, H. Eker, and D. Demir Şahin, “Prediction of Blasting Efficiency in Mining: A Comprehensive Evaluation with Boosting-Based Machine Learning Algorithms”, Osmaniye Korkut Ata University Journal of The Institute of Science and Techno, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 775–799, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.47495/okufbed.1758876.
ISNAD
Bayraktar, Cihan - Eker, Hasan - Demir Şahin, Demet. “Prediction of Blasting Efficiency in Mining: A Comprehensive Evaluation With Boosting-Based Machine Learning Algorithms”. Osmaniye Korkut Ata Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü Dergisi 9/2 (March 1, 2026): 775-799. https://doi.org/10.47495/okufbed.1758876.
JAMA
1.Bayraktar C, Eker H, Demir Şahin D. Prediction of Blasting Efficiency in Mining: A Comprehensive Evaluation with Boosting-Based Machine Learning Algorithms. Osmaniye Korkut Ata University Journal of The Institute of Science and Techno. 2026;9:775–799.
MLA
Bayraktar, Cihan, et al. “Prediction of Blasting Efficiency in Mining: A Comprehensive Evaluation With Boosting-Based Machine Learning Algorithms”. Osmaniye Korkut Ata Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü Dergisi, vol. 9, no. 2, Mar. 2026, pp. 775-99, doi:10.47495/okufbed.1758876.
Vancouver
1.Cihan Bayraktar, Hasan Eker, Demet Demir Şahin. Prediction of Blasting Efficiency in Mining: A Comprehensive Evaluation with Boosting-Based Machine Learning Algorithms. Osmaniye Korkut Ata University Journal of The Institute of Science and Techno. 2026 Mar. 1;9(2):775-99. doi:10.47495/okufbed.1758876

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