The description, characteristics, advantages and application of a new bulk
explosive for medium to large diameter dry blasthole conditions is
described. A brief outline of the delivery system for the product is also
included. This explosive has been designed to provide an alternative to
ANFO, currently the most common bulk dry hole product available to the
mining and quarrying industry. The selection of the optimum explosive for any blasting operation is of
prime importance. It is a major factor contributing to the production of
the desired results in terms of muckpile fragmentation, shape and
diggability. The optimum explosive can be defined as the most
cost-effective in producing satisfactory breakage and displacement of the
material. ANFO satisfies this prerequisite for a significant proportion of
dry hole applications. This unique, low density and low velocity of detonation explosive has
been developed to provide the industry with a cost competitive alternative
to ANFO. Typical loading or average inhole densities nominally range
between 0.40 g/cc to 0.70 g/cc, depending on the application.
Characteristics of this explosive allow for specific and common
applications in open cut coal and metalliferous operations. These include
ore/waste control operations, prestripping and presplitting applications,
sites confronting cap rock problems, and large hole diameter quarries.