1 Types of explosive

1.1 Definition of explosives

An explosive is a substance which, when properly initiated, is very rapidly converted
to gases at high temperature and pressure. This process is called detonation. A litre
of modern high explosive will expand to around 1000 litres within milliseconds (ICI
1997), creating pressures in a blasthole of the order of 10,000 MPa (1,450,000 psi).
Temperatures range from 1650-3870oC and the velocity of detonation (VOD) is so
high (2500-8000 m/s) that the power of a single charge is around 25,000 MW.
1.2 Classifications of explosive
The speed of detonation is one of the parameters used to classify an explosive. The
other main
parameter is whether or not a standard detonator can initiate the explosive. Figure
3.1 illustrates
the basic classifications of explosive.
Figure 1: Basic classifications of explosive
2 Explosive properties
The main parameters that influence the performance and selection of an explosive
are:
Effective energy
Velocity of detonation
Density
Detonation pressure
Low explosives (deflagrating)
VOD < 2000 m/s
E.g. gunpowder, fireworks,
cordite
Industrial explosives
(detonating)
VOD 2000 - 7000 m/s
Detonator sensitive or primary
explosives
Can be initiated by standard detonator
E.g. dynamite, blasting gelatin,

Anzomex, packaged emulsion

Blasting agents
Individual ingredients non-explosive.
Cannot be initiated by detonator
primary explosive charge required.
E.g. ANFO, emulsion, slurry.
High explosives (military)
TNT, PETN, HMX, Semtex ---------------------------------------------------------EXPLOSIVES:
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Sensitivity
Water resistance
Physical characteristics
Fume characteristics
Storage life
3.1 Effective energy
Some explosive energy is always wasted (vented to the atmosphere, lost as heat,
etc) and so it is
more realistic to express explosive strength in terms of the amount of energy a user
can expect to
have available to do useful work (ICI 1997). This parameter is termed the effective
energy and is
used by all major mining companies in Australia to compare explosive strengths.
Effective energy
is defined as the total energy released by the explosive gases as they expand and
do useful work from the
initial detonation down to a cut-off pressure of 100 MPa. A cut-off pressure is used
because it is
recognised that the ability of a gas to do work diminishes as the confining pressure
drops

(ICI 1997).
a) Relative effective energy
Manufacturers tend to use their own methods for determining explosive energies
and it can be
misleading to compare quoted values from different suppliers. A more useful
indication of the
strength of an explosive is the relative effective energy.
Relative weight effective energy (RWEE). RWEE is defined as the effective energy of
an explosive
compared to the effective energy of an equal weight of standard ANFO (i.e. 94% AN,
6% FO,
density = 0.8 g/cm3). RWEE is expressed as a percentage, with hat of ANFO being
100%.
b) Shock and heave energy
Energy is delivered by an explosive in two main forms, shock energy and heave
energy. At
detonation, the rapidly expanding gases compress the rock around the charge and
cause a shock
wave to travel through the surrounding rock mass. The gases continue to expand,
forcing their
way into fractures created by the shock wave, and displace the fractured rock
outwards. This latter
effect of the expanding gases is termed heave. The mechanism by which an
explosive breaks rock is
explained in more detail in section 4.
3.2 Velocity of Detonation (VOD)
The velocity of detonation (VOD) is the rate at which the detonation wave travels
along an
explosive column. The greater the VOD the greater the power or shattering effect
of an explosive.
High VOD explosives are more suitable in hard rock and low VOD in softer rock.
Generally,
explosives with a lower VOD tend to release gas over a longer period and
consequently have more
heave. The VOD range in commercial explosives is 2500-7500 m/s.

3.3 Density
The density of a explosive determines the charge weight per meter of hole.
3.4 Detonation pressure---------------------------------------------------------EXPLOSIVES:
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Detonation pressure is the pressure in the reaction zone as an explosive detonates.
It is a
significant indicator of the ability of an explosive to produce good fragmentation. A
high
detonation pressure is one of the desirable characteristics in a primer (Atlas 1987).
3.5 Sensitivity
Sensitivity is a measure of the ease with which an explosive can be detonated by
heat, friction or
shock and of its ability to propagate that detonation. As described in section 3.1.2,
modern
commercial explosives can be grouped into two main categories according to their
sensitivity,
detonator sensitive explosives and blasting agents. Some explosives with very high
sensitivity,
such as pure nitroglycerin or dynamite, can be detonated by mechanical impact or
friction.
The sensitivity of an explosive has other operational implications. If the sensitivity is
too low, the
detonation within a blast hole can be interrupted if there are gaps or obstacles
between the
charges. An explosive that is too sensitive can result in propagation of a detonation
from one blast
hole to another (sympathetic detonation). There are various measures of sensitivity
(Atlas 1987).
Minimum Booster The smallest detonator or primer charge that will produce
detonation.
Gap Sensitivity The ability of an explosive to propagate across an air gap. The test is

conducted on unconfined cartridges.

Critical Diameter The smallest diameter at which the detonation will propagate
along a
column of explosive.
Pressure Tolerance The static pressure in a blasthole at which the explosive will fail
to
detonate.
3.6 Fume characteristics
The gases produced by the detonation of an explosive consist mostly of non-toxic
carbon dioxide,
nitrogen and steam. However, small amounts of toxic gases are also produced, the
main ones
being carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen.
a) Carbon monoxide (CO)
Carbon monoxide is produced by incomplete combustion of carbonaceous material.
Some
properties are:
extremely toxic - 0.1% collapse, 1% immediate death
colourless, odourless, tasteless
highly flammable - burns with blue flame 12.5% to 74.2%
explosive maximum violence at 29% by volume in air
b) Oxides of nitrogen
The oxides of nitrogen are nitric oxide (NO), nitrous oxide (N2O) and nitrogen
dioxide (NO2). Of
these, nitrogen dioxide is the most toxic. The gas dissolves readily in the water in
eyes and lungs
to form both nitrous and nitric acids which cause irritation and, at higher
concentration, corrosion ---------------------------------------------------------EXPLOSIVES:
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of the eyes and respiratory system. At a concentration in the air of 100 ppm,
coughing may
commence and a concentration of 200 ppm is likely to be fatal (McPherson 1993,
p382).
Fortunately, even under extreme conditions, the concentrations of these gases in
explosive fumes
are very small (of the order of 0.1%). Their effects are minimised by:
After blasting, wait a set time before re-entering the area to allow fumes to clear.
Provide sufficient ventilation to disperse the fumes.
3.7 Storage properties
Explosives deteriorate and shelf life is particularly affected by both climate and
magazine
conditions. Statutory authorities in each State and Territory are responsible for the
approval and
licensing of magazines used for storing explosives. The maintenance of explosives
magazines is
also subject to Statutory Regulations. Explosive manufacturers specify the storage
properties or
shelf life of their products, based on normal magazine conditions (ICI 1997).
Nitroglycerin products are the most susceptible to deterioration during storage.
Dynamite
undergoes a normal aging process which rarely affects the energy output but can
affect the
appearance and sensitivity.
3.8 Water resistance
Blasting often takes place in wet conditions, even underwater for special tasks. In
these cases, the
water resistance of an explosive is a very important consideration. ANFO has no
water resistance
whilst emulsions and slurries have excellent water resistance. The water resistance
of an explosive
can be classified by testing its ability to detonate after exposure to water for certain
time periods
(Atlas 1987).

3.9 Physical characteristics

The physical characteristics of an explosive can be important with respect to
handling and loading
into blastholes. ANFO is a granular material, which is loose and free-flowing. It can
be readily
poured into a blast hole from bags or blown in from a large container by means of
compressed air.
Bulk emulsions are gel-like in consistency and can be pumped into blastholes from
large
containers; other emulsions are more like putty and can be packaged in plastic
sausage-shaped
cartridges that are easy to load by hand into a blasthole.
4 Blasting agents
A blasting agent is an explosive that:
Comprises ingredients that by themselves are non-explosive
Can only be detonated by a high explosive charge placed within it and not by a
detonator.
All blasting agents contain the following essential components (ICI 1997):
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Oxidiser A chemical that provides oxygen for the reaction. Typical oxidisers are
ammonium nitrate and calcium nitrate.
Fuel A chemical that reacts with oxygen to produce heat. Common fuels include
fuel oil and aluminium.
Sensitiser Provides the heat source (hot spot) to drive the chemical reaction of
oxidiser
and fuel. Sensitisers are generally small air bubbles or pockets within the
explosive.
The composition of explosives is balanced chemically to produce the desired effects
in blasting.

Note: the orange fumes sometimes seen in open pit blasting indicate that there is
water in the
blastholes. The water desensitises a proportion of the fuel, upsetting the oxygen
balance and
resulting in the production of nitrous oxides.
4.1 ANFO
a) Description
Ammonium nitrate is relatively insensitive, and wasnt even recognized as an
explosive until
some decades after it began to be used as fertilizer. Major disasters which have
been blamed,
retrospectively, on ammonium nitrate include the Galveston Harbour and Halifax
explosions.
Sadly, the North Americans hadnt learned from an earlier disaster at Oppau,
Germany, in 1921.
There, the ammonium nitrate was considered so safe it was stacked outdoors. It
would cake from
the rain, and set hard. When loading became a problem, the stack was broken up
using
dynamite . There is now a lake and a plaque where the town stood.
Ammonium nitrate fuel oil (ANFO) consists of small granules of ammonium nitrate
(AN) called
prills, coated with a special grade of fuel oil (FO). There are 3 types of ingredient.
Oxidiser Ammonium nitrate
Fuel Fuel oil/distillate
Sensitiser Entrapped air
ANFO can not be initiated on its own by heat, shock or by a detonator. It must be
detonated by a
primer, a cartridge of high explosive with detonator and the detonation pressure of
the primer
should be greater than that of the ANFO.
b) Mixing
One of the great advantages of ANFO is that it is convenient and inherently safe to
use. ANFO can

supplied pre-mixed in 10-25 kg bags, which are simply poured into blastholes
(Figures 3.2 & 3.3).
In large surface operations, quantities of correctly proportioned and mixed ANFO are
charged
quickly and efficiently by bulk ANFO mix trucks. The AN prills are blown out of a
tank by means
of a compressed air, through a nozzle at which fuel oil is added from a separate
small tank, and
into the blast hole (Figure 3.3). For small operations a hand-operated concrete mixer
can even be
used. In large underground mines, special charge-up vehicles are fitted with a AN
tank (kettle)
and compressed air supply. To distinguish between a mixed ANFO and straight AN,
the fuel oil is
often coloured blue or pink with a dye.
Mixing of ANFO constitutes the manufacture of an explosive and a license or permit
must be
obtained from the appropriate statutory
authority.---------------------------------------------------------EXPLOSIVES:
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c) Properties
Fuel oil content The proportion of FO is 5.5-6.0% by weight, a mix that gives
maximum
energy and VOD. Too much FO increases the production of carbon monoxide
and too little increases the proportion of oxides of nitrogen. The most
efficient, perfectly oxygen-balanced mix is at 5.7% FO
(Atlas 1987, ICI 1997).
Density Loose-poured ANFO has a density of 0.8 to 0.85 g/cm3. This low density
means that the bulk strength is relatively low. The density can be increased
up to about 1.0 g/cm3 by pneumatic loading (blow-loading). Blow loading

increases the relative effective energy and the VOD.

Water resistance Ammonium nitrate readily absorbs water from its surroundings.
ANFO
which contains more than about 10% water usually fails to detonate
(ICI 1997). Under conditions of high moisture content the prills will cake.
ANFO can only be used in dry holes, unless it is packaged in a suitable
waterproof container.
Performance moderately high VOD - around 3660 m/s
moderately high detonation pressure - 2700 MPa
high gas production, therefore excellent heave
large amounts of post-blast fumes
Easy to handle and load
In bulk form it fills the complete cross-section of blasthole and provides
100% coupling with the rock; i.e. there is no gap between the explosive and
the hole walls
Problems of separation between explosive cartridges are eliminated
Costs Easy to manufacture
Around $570/tonne (1999)
Fig. 2: ANFO Fig. 3: Loading of ANFO into blasthole
4.2 Emulsion blasting agents
a) Components ---------------------------------------------------------EXPLOSIVES:
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Emulsions are the newest form of commercial
explosive and have excellent performance
characteristics and flexibility of use. An emulsion
blasting agent is a water-in-oil emulsion consisting
of a super-saturated solution of microscopic AN

droplets suspended in an oil, wax or paraffin fuel

and stabilised with emulsifying agents (figure 3.4).
Entrapped air, in the form of either ultra-fine air
bubbles, dispersed throughout the emulsion, acts
as a sensitiser (Mather 1997). On initiation, the
explosive shock wave causes the air bubbles to
compress at high speed, thus creating hot spots
and causing the emulsion to detonate. The amount
of entrapped air controls the sensitivity and can be
varied to create a product that is either a high
explosive or a blasting agent.
Fig. 4: Structure of water-in-oil emulsion (ICI
1997)
As with ANFO, emulsion blasting agent can be loaded in bulk from trucks. Bin
capacities in the
trucks can be varied to carry different proportions of AN and emulsion phase. Data
loggers are
also available to record the quantities of each blend of product used in each hole in
a blast (Mather
1997).
b) Properties
Physical properties An opaque gel similar in viscosity to light grease or heavy oil
(similar to
vaseline)
Performance very high VOD - up to 6000 m/s
high detonation pressure: 10-12,000 MPa
energy output can be varied by altering the blend of the explosive
less chemical energy per unit weight compared to ANFO, due to water
content.
Water resistance Excellent
Stability Blasting agent stable for about 4 days in holes.

Cost Approximately $800/tonne (1999)

4.4 Bulk explosive trucks
In operations such as open pit mines and quarries, blasting agents can be mixed onsite, at the
point of delivery into the blasthole. Figures 3.5, 3.6 and 3.7 illustrate the layout of
such bulk
explosives trucks, termed mobile manufacturing units (MMU).
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Fig. 5: Bulk ANFO Truck (Hustrulid 1999)
Fig. 6: Mobile manufacturing unit (MMU) for ANFO/Emulsion blends
5 Detonator ('cap') sensitive explosives
5.1 NG-Based Explosives (Dynamites)
a) Composition of Dynamite ---------------------------------------------------------EXPLOSIVES:
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There is a very wide range of dynamite
compositions based on:
nitroglycerine
nitroglycol
nitrocellulose
oxidising salts
fuel ingredients
The liquid portion of all dynamites consists of a
blend of nitroglycerine and nitroglycol, known
collectively as NG. Nitroglycerine is usually

the minor % of the two as nitroglycol has a

lower freezing point (-22oC), better heat stability
and is cheaper. NG content varies from 5-90%.
Nitrocellulose A gelling or thickening agent which binds the liquid NG to the other
ingredients and prevents its exudation. Typically only a few % of the total.
Oxidisers Mainly ammonium nitrate and/or sodium nitrate.
Fuel ingredients These components balance the oxidisers and may also contribute
to water
resistance and density control. Typical fuels are sawdust, wax or aluminium.
Typically, NG-based explosives are
packages in waxed paper cartridges
(figure 3.8). Dynamite can be supplied in
straight, ammonia, and gelatin forms.
Fig. 8: NG-based explosive cartridges.
5.2 Packaged emulsion explosives
Emulsion explosives can be made detonator-sensitive by increasing the amount of
air pockets in
the mixture. Currently, cap-sensitive emulsions are produced by using glass
microballoons
(GMBs) as a sensitiser instead of chemical gassing (Bellairs 1999). Although they
can be initiated
by a No. 8 detonator, this type of explosive has extremely low sensitivity to impact
and friction
and are therefore much safer than NG-based
explosives.---------------------------------------------------------EXPLOSIVES:
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Fig. 9: Packaged emulsion explosive
5.3 High energy primers

High energy explosives have been developed specifically for the efficient initiation
of blasting
agents. Their composition is based on military high explosive compounds such as
TNT
(trinitrotoluol) and PETN (pentaerythritol tetranitrate).
The ICI range of such explosives is named
Anzomex and the primers are made principally
of cast pentolite, a mixture of TNT and PETN.
The explosive is packaged in rigid plastic
containers that are usually cylindrical in shape
(Figure 3.10). These plastic containers generally
incorporate a some form of hollow tube or
attachment for the connection of a detonator,
detonating cord or shock tube (see section 3.6).
ICI Anzomex products have a density of
around 1.65 g/cm3, a VOD of about 7500 m/s
(ICI 1997) and a shelf life of about 5 years. Cast
primers must be handled very carefully; for
example, they can detonate if dropped from 15
m onto sharp rocks (Bellairs 1999). At present,
Orica has the only cast booster plant in
Australia, which manufactures the same
product for both Orica and Dyno Nobel labels.
Xxxx
Fig. 10: Cast primers and boosters
6 Initiating explosives
Initiating explosives are designed to safely activate larger explosive charges at a
controlled time
and in a pre-determined sequence (delay blasting). Initiating explosives can be
broadly classified

into electric and non-electric types. In electric systems, a device that can generate
or store ---------------------------------------------------------EXPLOSIVES:
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electrical energy transmits that energy to the initiating explosives via a circuit of
insulated
conductors. Blast sequences can be controlled by means of electric timing systems
but delay
timing is usually achieved through pyrotechnic delay elements incorporated inside
detonators.
Non-electric initiating systems use reactive chemicals to store and transmit energy
by controlled
burning, detonation, or shock waves. (ICI 1997.)
6.1 Detonators
Detonators are compact devices that are designed to safely initiate and control the
performance of larger explosive
charges. They contain relatively sensitive high explosives which can be initiated by
electrical or shock energy from an
external source. All detonators contain components that can be initiated by
sufficient impact, heat, friction or electrical
energy. These characteristics make them the most dangerous explosive products in
industrial application and they must
be stored, transported, handled and used according to set procedures, specified in
codes and regulations.
6.3 Electric detonators
a) Construction
Electric detonators are widely used to initiate blast sequences but are rarely now
used inside the
blastholes themselves (ICI 1997). Electrical energy is introduced into the detonator
from the
exploder (battery, hand-driven magneto or charged capacitor) via a primary circuit
wire (shotfiring

cable) and detonator leads. In the detonator (Figure 3.11), the current heats up a
high resistance
wire which then ignites a fusehead (similar to a match). The resulting flash ignites a
delay element
which burns through to a primer charge that detonates the base charge. The timing
of the
pyrotechnic delay element is accurate to within 8 ms (White 1999).
Fig. 11: Construction of electric detonator (Hustrulid 1999)
b) Electric circuits ---------------------------------------------------------EXPLOSIVES:
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The simplest and most convenient way to connect electric detonators is in series. If
one or more
detonator connections are faulty then the entire circuit will not fire, eliminating the
possibility of
having explosive in the broken rock after firing. Connection in series allows the
entire circuit to be
tested for continuity and resistance from a safe place. In a parallel circuit, in which
each detonator
is connected across two common wires, each detonator is independent of the
others. The circuit
resistance is lower but even if one connection of faulty the remainder will fire,
resulting in
unexploded charges in the muck pile. Each individual detonator must be tested for
continuity.
When connecting a round of charged blastholes, the ends of the detonator leads are
coupled in
series and the two free ends of the detonator circuit coupled to a firing cable, often
via a short
length of twin twist wire. The recommended minimum firing current is 1.5 amps DC
or 2.5 amps
AC for each series circuit (ICI 1997) and it is often necessary to calculate the circuit
resistance to

determine if the firing current is sufficient.

c) Accidental firing hazards
Electric detonators may fire if electrical energy from outside enters the blasting
circuit.
Lightning
A lightning strike close to a blasting circuit can initiate some of the detonators; a
direct hit will
cause the entire circuit to fire. Lighting can also initiate non-electric systems. If an
electrical storm
approaches a blast site, charging operations must stop and the site be evacuated.
Static electricity
The build-up of static charge on an object can be sufficient to initiate an electrical
blasting circuit.
The most likely cause is by blow-loading of ANFO in dry conditions. Charging
equipment should
be properly earthed and a semi-conductive charging hose should be used (ICI 1997).
Stray currents
Stray currents from faulty electrical equipment can initiate electric detonators. The
most serious
hazard is faulty insulation of high voltage cables. All electrical equipment should be
properly
earthed and detonators leads and firing cables should be placed well clear of any
power lines.
Electro-magnetic radiation (radio, TV, etc)
If a powerful radio frequency transmitter is close enough and the length and
orientation of the
lead blasting wires is correct, the radio waves may induce sufficient current in the
blasting cables
to initiate detonators. Mobile radio transmitters and telephones must therefore be
kept away from
electrically primed blastholes. Alternatively, signs should be posted instructing
persons to switch
off their communication devices when entering a blast site. (ICI 1995.)
6.4 Detonating cord

Detonating (figure 3.12) cord is a strong, flexible linear explosive which consists of a
continuous
core of high explosive, covered by a plastic jacket and is often overwrapped with
textiles (ICI
1997). The high explosive used is PETN, at a content of 3.6 to 70 g/m. When
initiated, detonating
cord will detonate along its entire length at a VOD of between 6.0 and 7.5 km/s and
with very
high shock energy. This shock energy is sufficient to initiate a detonator-sensitive
explosive or a
signal tube (see section 3.6.5). Cord is usually initiated by means of an electric
detonator. ---------------------------------------------------------EXPLOSIVES:
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Fig. 12: Detonating cord
The great advantage of detonating cord is that it is an effective, but violent, means
of transmitting
energy for explosives initiation. Detonating cord trunklines can be laid out between
rows of holes,
with signal tube connection to individual blastholes or to a single row of blastholes.
Delays can be introduced into det cord lines by means of millisecond connectors
(MSCs). MSCs
consist of two plastic blocks, each containing an identical delay detonator, linked by
a short length
of signal tube.
6.5 Signal (shock) tube
The signal tube system consists of narrow plastic tubes coated on the inside surface
with a very
thin layer of high explosive, typically HMX or PETN (Figure 3.13). One kilometer of
tube will
contain about a teaspoon of HMX. Signal tube can be initiated by an electric
detonator, detonator

cord or mechanical shot shell starter device. The resulting shock wave travels at
high speed (
2000 m/s) down the tube and sets off a detonator at the other end. (Because of the
way in which
the tube works it is sometimes known as shock tube.) The explosive shock wave
in the tube is
not sufficient to break the tube, indeed, a length of tube can safely be held in the
hand when it is
initiated.
The main advantages of this initiation system
are (ICI 1997):
it is not susceptible to stray electric
currents
separate lengths of signal tube cannot
initiate each other through direct contact,
knots or other simple connections
the tube is robust, having a high tensile
strength and abrasion resistance
it is very difficult to kink
the initiation is virtually non-violent
compared to detonating cord and is hence
much safer to use ---------------------------------------------------------EXPLOSIVES:
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Fig. 13: Shock tubes, with detonators and
connectors
6.6 Electronic systems
The latest development in explosive technology is the electronic delay detonator
(EDD) (Russell

1997, White 1999). Each detonator incorporates a micro-processor chip, contained

within a
lengthened version of the PVC end plug, which controls the time at which the
fusehead ignites
and therefore the delay. An electronic console is used to test and program the delay
time for each
detonator. Delays can be set in increments from 1 to 6000 ms. The circuit can be
fired either
manually or by computer. With the manual system, each detonator is programmed
individually
using the console. In computerised firing, each detonator is assigned an 'order
number' from the
console. (White 1999) A pre-determined firing pattern is then downloaded from a
laptop.
The main disadvantage at this time is that the cost of detonators is up to four times
per unit that of
other types.
7 Explosives storage and handling
Explosives, by their very definition, are potentially unstable compounds. They will
deteriorate if
exposed to unsuitable conditions such as heat or humidity. Different types of
explosives have a
varying shelf life, depending on how they are stored and used. The approval and
licensing of
magazines is subject to State and Territory Regulations, which are usually based on
the relevant
Australian Standard (AS).
7.2 Classifications
All dangerous goods are formally classified by Statutory Authorities, according to
the main type
of risk that they present. Detonators, blasting agents and detonator-sensitive
explosives are
classified in hazard Division 1.1 - mass explosion hazard (one which effects the
entire load
instantaneously). Bulk ammonium nitrate and emulsion are in Division 5.1
hazardous goods.

7.3 Magazines
a) Licenses
A Magazine license is required to store detonators and explosives. The license is
subject to the
construction and location of the proposed magazine being granted approval. There
are
regulations governing operation, including separate storage of detonators, and
keeping of records.
Ammonium nitrate and bulk emulsion are relatively harmless until mixed with a
sensitiser. They
are also used in very large quantities. Construction of storage facilities is, therefore,
subject to less
stringent Regulations.
7.4 Transportation ---------------------------------------------------------EXPLOSIVES:
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The specifications relating to explosive transportation depend mainly on the type
and quantity of
explosive. The Australian Explosives Code details requirements relating to:
transportation
licenses, documentation, personnel (driver, person in charge, passengers), vehicle,
warning signs
and fire extinguishers.
References
Atlas Powder Company, 1987, Explosives and Rock Blasting, Atlas Powder Company
Field
Technical Operations, Dallas.
Bellairs, P, 1999, Modern bulk high explosives, presentation to the AusIMM Adelaide
Branch 1/7/99.
Technical Development Manager, Dyno Nobel Asia Pacific Limited.
Hustrulid W, 1999, Blasting Principles for Open Pit Mining, Vol. 1, Balkema,
Rotterdam.

ICI Technical Services, 1995, ICI Explosives Blasting Guide, ICI Australia Operations.
ICI Technical Services, 1997, Safe and Efficient Blasting in Underground Metal Mines,
ICI Australia
Operations.
Jimeno, C.L. and Jimeno, E.L., 1995, Drilling and Blasting of Rocks, A.A. Balkema,
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