Abstract: A system, method, or apparatus for generating a blast plan that can receive blast data comprising geological properties of a blast site, blasthole parameters, and available explosive product. A pattern footage can be determined based on a relationship between the face height, the specific energy of the available explosive product, and the geological properties of the bench. The burden and spacing can be determined from the pattern footage.

Abstract: Systems for automatedly delivering explosives with variable densities are disclosed herein. Methods of automatedly delivering explosives with variable densities are disclosed herein. Methods of determining an emulsion explosive density profile are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A booster explosive (10) comprises a canister body 12 within which is a cap well (20) having disposed therein a detonator (24). A protective sleeve (28) encloses the cap well (20) except for that portion of the cap well, the active portion (20d), which encloses the explosive end section (24a) of detonator (24). The protective sleeve serves to attenuate the force of shock waves from nearby prior explosions acting on the detonator (24). An annular air space (32) may be provided between protective sleeve (28) and cap well (20) to further attenuate the force of such shock waves. Attenuation of the shock waves reduces the likelihood of damage to detonators (24) by prior nearby explosions.

Abstract: Emulsion explosives with gas bubbles that are resistant to in-borehole migration or coalescence are disclosed herein. Such emulsions can be sensitized by mechanically-introducing gas bubbles into the emulsion. Resistance to gas bubble migration and coalescence can be achieved by homogenization, without the need for bubble stabilization agents.

Abstract: A system, method, or apparatus for generating a blast plan that can receive blast data comprising geological properties of a blast site, blasthole parameters, and available explosive product. A pattern footage can be determined based on a relationship between the face height, the specific energy of the available explosive product, and the geological properties of the bench. The burden and spacing can be determined from the pattern footage.

Abstract: Methods of delivering inhibited emulsions are provided. The methods can include mixing an emulsion with a separate inhibitor solution to form the inhibited emulsion. Inhibitor solutions including water, an inhibitor, and a crystallization point modified are provided. Systems for delivering inhibited emulsions are also provided.

Abstract: Systems for delivering explosives with variable densities are disclosed herein. Methods of delivering explosives with variable densities and methods of varying the energy of explosives in a blasthole are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A booster explosive (10) comprises a canister body 12 within which is a cap well (20) having disposed therein a detonator (24). A protective sleeve (28) encloses the cap well (20) except for that portion of the cap well, the active portion (20d), which encloses the explosive end section (24a) of detonator (24). The protective sleeve serves to attenuate the force of shock waves from nearby prior explosions acting on the detonator (24). An annular air space (32) may be provided between protective sleeve (28) and cap well (20) to further attenuate the force of such shock waves. Attenuation of the shock waves reduces the likelihood of damage to detonators (24) by prior nearby explosions.

Abstract: A packaged explosive product may include packaging film, explosive product, and a detonating cord. The packaging film may form one or more casings that contain the explosive product. The packaging film and explosive product form a charge. The detonating cord may be positioned external the one or more casings in relation to the explosive product while being positioned axially internal in relation to the one or more charges.

Abstract: A packaging system includes a container (34) within which are disposed first detonator devices (10) having reactive coils (16), e.g., coils of shock tube leads, and second detonator devices (20) having inert coils (26), e.g., coils of insulated electric leg wires. The inert coils (26) are interposed between the reactive coils (16) and are approximately co-extensive with the reactive coils (16), so that the inert coils (26) form a barrier to propagation of an accidental initiation from one reactive coil (16) to another. Reactive coils (16) and inert coils (26) are fastened to each other to form mixed coil pairs (30) which are nested to interpose a pair of the inert coils (26) between at least some of the reactive coils (16). A method of packing the first and second detonator devices calls for placing them in a container (34) in the described arrangement.

Abstract: Systems for automatedly delivering explosives with variable densities are disclosed herein. Methods of automatedly delivering explosives with variable densities are disclosed herein. Methods of determining an emulsion explosive density profile are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Methods of delivering inhibited emulsions are provided. The methods can include mixing an emulsion with a separate inhibitor solution to form the inhibited emulsion. Inhibitor solutions including water, an inhibitor, and a crystallization point modified are provided. Systems for delivering inhibited emulsions are also provided.

Abstract: A blasthole guard may include a conduit and a cap. The conduit is sized and shaped to allow a hose to pass through. The cap comprises a funnel that narrows to an open end of the conduit. A slot continuously extends from the conduit through the cap such that the slot forms an opening that extends along an entire length of the device.

Abstract: Systems for delivering explosives with variable densities are disclosed herein. Methods of delivering explosives with variable densities and methods of varying the energy of explosives in a blasthole are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Explosive compositions are disclosed herein. The compositions include a diesel fuel and a vacuum gas oil. Some compositions disclosed herein include an emulsion that includes an oxidizer in a discontinuous phase and a blend of diesel fuel and vacuum gas oil in a continuous phase. Methods of manufacturing explosive compositions are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Systems for delivering explosives with variable densities are disclosed herein. Methods of delivering explosives with variable densities and methods of varying the energy of explosives in a blasthole are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Compositions, methods and systems involving nitrate compounds are disclosed and described. A method of dissolving a nitrate compound having an additive can comprise dissolving the nitrate compound to form an aqueous nitrate solution and adding a surfactant to the aqueous nitrate solution, where the surfactant disperses the additive.

Abstract: Systems for delivering explosives with variable densities are disclosed herein. Methods of delivering explosives with variable densities and methods of varying the energy of explosives in a blasthole are disclosed herein.

Abstract: An ignition circuit (200) includes: an igniter (210) having first (211) and second (212) terminals; a first diode (225) electrically connected in series with the igniter at the first terminal; a second diode (230) electrically connected in series with the igniter at the second terminal. The first and second diodes each have an anode terminal (226, 231) and a cathode terminal (227, 232), wherein like terminals of the first and second diodes are electrically connected to the igniter, thereby defining proximal terminals and distal terminals. A capacitor (235) is electrically connected across the distal terminals and connectable in parallel with a series-connected energy source (215) and switch (220). The energy source and a switch are electrically connectable across the distal terminals via test lead wires.

Abstract: Systems for delivering explosives with variable densities are disclosed herein. Methods of delivering explosives with variable densities and methods of varying the energy of explosives in a blasthole are disclosed herein.