Abstract: Metal cyanide suitable for shipment is prepared by introducing an aqueous metal cyanide feed stream to a crystallizer to form a slurry of metal cyanide crystals in their mother liquor. The crystallization step occurs at a temperature between 30.degree. C. and 70.degree. C., and preferably between 50.degree. C. to about 60.degree. C. The metal cyanide crystals are separated from their mother liquor to form a wet cake product containing from about 75 to 98 wt. % anhydrous metal cyanide crystals, from about 4 to 24 wt. % water, and from about 1 to 5 wt. % of metal hydroxide. The wet cake product is placed into a shipping container for shipment to a desired location. A metal cyanide solution is prepared by dissolving the wet cake product.

Abstract: A method of blasting using non-nitrogen containing explosives which protect the environment from pollution of nitrogen compounds is provided. The method includes the following steps: (1) combining an oxidizer, a fuel, water, and a binder such that an explosive is formed which is substantially free of nitrogen; (2) placing the explosive in a location selected for blasting; and (3) initiating said explosive. The nitrogen-free oxidizer may be a perchlorate such as sodium perchlorate. Using this method, the explosive may be a water gel, emulsion, a dry explosive, or a liquid oxygen explosive.

Abstract: The density of ammonium nitrate-based mining explosives, such as ANFO, heavy ANFO and emulsion explosives, is lowered by adding an expanded grain, such as expanded popcorn, expanded rice, or expanded wheat, to the explosive. As much as 10% of the explosive composition may be an expanded grain. The present invention may be used with porous ammonium nitrate, dense agricultural grade ammonium nitrate, crystalline ammonium nitrate, and ground ammonium nitrate.

Abstract: An improved method of gassing and controlling the density of emulsion explosive compositions is provided. The emulsion explosive compositions of interest include an oxidizer salt, carbonaceous fuel, and an emulsifier. In addition, a catalyst, such as a salt or oxide of iron, copper, or manganese may be added to the explosive composition as a catalyst. The explosive composition is gassed by adding thereto a quantity of a second emulsion which includes an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide, a carbonaceous fuel, and an emulsifier. Oxygen gas bubbles are produced throughout the explosive composition by the degradation of the hydrogen peroxide, which may be catalyzed by the metal salt catalyst. The invention provides more uniform gas bubble distribution within the emulsion explosive composition.