Abstract: The invention provides a method of sensitizing a base emulsion of the water-in-oil type, and the invention provides also a sensitized emulsion explosive comprising an emulsion of the water-in-oil type when produced by the method. The method comprises dispersing, in the base emulsion, a sensitizing solution having a solvent which comprises at most 50% by mass water, the balance of the solvent being organic, and a solute which is a chemical sensitizing agent.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus (10) for loading a sensitized flowable explosive into a borehole. The apparatus (10) is portable and comprises containers 14, 16 which are pressurizable, for containing an explosive under pressure. Containers 14, 16 have closeable explosive inlets, closeable explosive outlets, and closable fluid inlets. In accordance with the method gas bubbles are dispersed into an explosive base to provide a sensitized explosive which is fed as a batch into the portable containers. The containers are pressurized to de-sensitize the explosive, after which the containers are conveyed to a borehole where the explosive is loaded from the apparatus into the borehole.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the initiation of blasting. The method comprises the steps of initiating a detonation in an initial shock robe and causing the detonation to propagate along the interior of the shock robe. The detonation in the initial shock tube initiates a detonation in a high explosive charge in a connection device whereby the shock tube is connected to a plurality of further shock tubes. The detonation of the high explosive charge acts to transfer the detonation from the initial shock tube to the further shock tubes to initiate detonations therein. The transfer of the detonations from the initial shock tube to the further shock tubes is effected in a direction which is radial relative to the initial shock tube and radial relative to the further shock tube. The invention also provides a system for the initiation of blasting.