Deep underground mining increases stress levels around excavations, leading to risks such as rockbursts, sudden, violent rock failures. Predicting rockbursts is still difficult despite technological advances. Destress blasting, used to alleviate these stresses and reduce rockburst damage, can also potentially destabilize mines further. This technique is widely used globally, and therefore, is considered by Swedish mining companies like LKAB, Boliden, and Zinkgruven Mining to manage excavation instability in highly stressed areas. However, the effectiveness of destress blasting remains uncertain, necessitating further research. The objectives of this research are to improve understanding of how destress blasting affects the burst-proneness of excavations, to assess the mechanisms of destress blasting compared to conventional excavation techniques, to evaluate the effectiveness of destress blasting across different rock strength properties, to provide design recommendations for face destress blasting through practical field tests. This study used 3DEC, a three-dimensional distinct element code, to evaluate the effectiveness of destress blasting at a drift face in a deep underground mine. The study first created a numerical model to validate the dynamic loading method designed to simulate blasting. The simulation involved a single borehole model where a sine wave velocity was applied, reached a peak of 5 m/s, and then stabilized. The waveforms around the borehole were consistent and symmetrical, indicating effective application of the dynamic loading. Additionally, the detonation pattern along the borehole axis and the attenuation of velocity waves from the borehole axis were observed, indicating the dynamic loading could be well simulated. This study later created 3DEC models to analyze the effects of destress blasting in an underground drift, focusing on stress changes under varying rock mass conditions. The process began with a static analysis to replicate the in-situ stress conditions of the mine. Following this, destress blasting was dynamically modeled by applying a simplified dynamic load at a crushed zone boundary of simulated blastholes using the FISH coding language. To provide a more accurate representation of the post-peak mechanical responses of rocks, a strain-softening constitutive model was adopted. By adjusting residual strength of rock mass and velocity magnitudes from blasting, it examined the effectiveness of the destress blasting technique. Four distinct models were included, each representing a specific scenario in drift development: where Model 1 simulated conventional excavation without destress blasting, serving as a baseline to understand natural stress redistribution around an unsupported drift; Model 2 incorporated strategically drilled boreholes along the drift face intended to passively release high-stress concentrations without dynamic loading or blasting; Model 3 featured destress blasting simulated with a dynamic loading velocity of 10 m/s; and Model 4 used a higher dynamic loading velocity of 20 m/s to simulate a more intense destress blast. The numerical models effectively simulated destress blasting, providing deep insights into stress redistribution by modeling yielded zones and stress behaviour. This detailed simulation aided in accurately predicting destress blasting outcomes, enhancing mining safety and efficiency. The study confirms that destress blasting is partially effective in redistributing stress and expanding yielded zones around excavation faces, though its impact is highly dependent on rock mass properties and dynamic loading intensity. Conventional excavation could generate stress concentration zones around the excavation face, potentially causing rockbursts, while destress blasting mitigated these risks by using controlled fracturing to redistribute stress more evenly. The effectiveness of destress blasting was evaluated by the size of yielded zones it created, crucial for reducing stress concentrations, with dynamic loading essential for effective stress redistribution around boreholes. The destressing effect of blasting was mostly confined to the central drift area with limited impact beyond the borehole, failing to broadly redistribute stress and leaving boundary zones vulnerable. High stresses near destressed zones could also increase the risk of rockbursts and stability issues. Vertical stress reductions in the roof were notable; however, destress blasting did not iv alleviate horizontal stresses significantly across all models. This indicated its effectiveness in redistributing vertical stresses but not horizontal ones, highlighting a significant limitation of destress drilling as a comprehensive stress management solution. The dynamic load and the brittleness of the rock mass directly affected the size and connectivity of yielded zones, enhancing the scope of destressed areas. To optimize destress blasting, it's critical to monitor yielded zones, and assess stress distribution across the excavation and surrounding rock mass, including vertical and principal stresses. Tailoring blasting techniques to site-specific conditions like rock type, stress levels, and borehole placement is essential for effectiveness. Additionally, placing boreholes strategically, validating models with real-life data, and using 3DEC modeling for its discrete element approach can improve the management of stress concentrations and overall stability in rock excavations.