Abstract: A blasting explosive comprises an organic carbonaceous fuel, an inorganic oxidizing salt, a gelling agent and particulate filler material, wherein prior to exposing the particulate filler material and the inorganic oxidizing salt to the organic carbonaceous fuel and the gelling agent, from about 15 to about 60 wt % of the particulate filler material and the inorganic oxidizing salt are retained on a Tyler 10 sieve, from about 15 to about 60 wt % of the particulate filler material and the inorganic oxidizing salt are retained on a Tyler 14 sieve and from about 20 to about 60 wt. % of the particulate filler material and the inorganic oxidizing salt are retained on a Tyler 20 sieve.

Abstract: An explosive composition comprising an explosive mixture of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil. The fuel oil is selected to provide an oil separation sufficiently low so that the explosive is detonatable. The fuel oil is also selected such that the viscosity of the explosive is sufficiently low so that the explosive may be loadable into a borehole. The explosive is substantially free of tackifying agents.