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.

Abstract: An emulsion composition with a polymerizing and/or crosslinking agent and method for its use in improving the manufacturing, packaging, transporting, storage placement and blasting characteristics of explosives containing an emulsion. More specifically, compositions and methods directed to controlling the rheology of an emulsion or explosive containing an emulsion by polymerizing and/or crosslinking the continuous phase of the emulsion by employing hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene and polymerizing agents and/or maleic anhydride adducted polybutadiene and crosslinking agents, but without compromising the integrity of the explosive reaction.Explosive materials comprised of a water-in-oil emulsion containing a continuous carbonaceous fuel phase at least partially polymerized and/or crosslinked.

Abstract: A blasting composition for use in boreholes of diameter not less than 80 mm. The composition contains more than about 25% of solid oxidiser particles such as limestone ammonium nitrate. These particles are in the form of dense prills, granules or crystals and about 80% of them have a minimum thickness in the range of 1/200 to 1/75 of borehole diameter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering an explosive to the bottom of a borehole containing water without allowing a detrimental amount of mixing between the explosive and the water. More particularly, the present invention allows an ammonium nitrate rich bulk explosive to be placed in a borehole without allowing the explosive composition to change significantly through dissolution of its constituents. The apparatus of the present invention includes a length of collapsible tubing having a plurality of apertures near its base and a weight attached to its base. The tubing is then lowered into a borehole. The weight causes the tubing to extend through any water layer within the borehole and the collapsible nature of the tubing serves to keep any significant amount of water from entering the tube. An explosive can then be flowed into the mouth of the tubing and down through the length of the tubing to the bottom of the borehole.

Abstract: A cylindrical primer cup having a top end which may be sealed so as to safely contain granular or liquid explosive matter is disclosed. A cylindrical conduit extends in a straight path through the cup, providing an opening at either end permitting through-passage of detonating cord or blasting caps. The cylindrical conduit additionally has a fixed diameter throughout, facilitating its travel along a detonating cord. A frustoconical conduit extends well within the primer cup for the placement and frictional retention of blasting caps therein. The sidewalls of the two conduits are relatively thin to provide for easier primer detonation. Symmetrically placed columnar-shaped ribs provide longitudinal structural support for the cylindrical conduit.