Abstract: An explosive booster for initiating, and thus causing detonation of, a bulk explosive, includes a hollow body comprising a base member and a sidewall projecting from the base member. The body defines an interior space between the base member and the sidewall for containing a detonable booster formulation in use. A hollow elongate initiator locating formation projects longitudinally into the interior space at least from the base member and defines an initiator channel that is open through the base member, for locating an explosive initiator in initiating proximity relative to a detonable booster formulation contained in the interior space in use. The initiator channel extends longitudinally along a central longitudinal axis thereof that is radially spaced from, and parallel to, a central longitudinal axis along which the interior space longitudinally extends.

Abstract: An explosive booster for initiating, and thus causing detonation of, a bulk explosive, includes a hollow body comprising a base member and a sidewall projecting from the base member. The body defines an interior space between the base member and the sidewall for containing a detonable booster formulation in use. A hollow elongate initiator locating formation projects longitudinally into the interior space at least from the base member and defines an initiator channel that is open through the base member, for locating an explosive initiator in initiating proximity relative to a detonable booster formulation contained in the interior space in use. The initiator channel extends longitudinally along a central longitudinal axis thereof that is radially spaced from, and parallel to, a central longitudinal axis along which the interior space longitudinally extends.

Abstract: A method of vertically transporting emulsion explosive includes, using a pump, pumping a predetermined volume of emulsion explosive, from an emulsion explosive reservoir, into a vertically extending pipe, wherein pumping is effected airtightly at least between the pump and a downstream end of a volume of emulsion explosive that has been pumped into the vertically extending pipe for at least a part of the travel of emulsion explosive of the predetermined volume of emulsion explosive down the vertical pipe.

Abstract: A method of vertically transporting emulsion explosive includes, using a pump, pumping a predetermined volume of emulsion explosive, from an emulsion explosive reservoir, into a vertically extending pipe, wherein pumping is effected airtightly at least between the pump and a downstream end of a volume of emulsion explosive that has been pumped into the vertically extending pipe for at least a part of the travel of emulsion explosive of the predetermined volume of emulsion explosive down the vertical pipe.