Abstract: The water-in-oil emulsion explosives of this invention contain a water-immiscible organic fuel as a continuous phase, an emulsified inorganic oxidizer salt solution as a discontinuous phase, an emulsifier, gas bubbles or an air entraining agent for sensitization, and from about 1% to about 30% by weight of the composition urea for stabilization against thermal degradation with reactive sulfide/pyrite ores. The invention also relates to a method of using such explosives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved explosive composition. More particularly, the invention relates to a water-in-oil emulsion explosive that is sensitized by chemically formed gas bubbles. The water-in-oil emulsion explosives of this invention contain a water-immiscible organic fuel as the continuous phase, an emulsified inorganic oxidizer salt solution as the discontinuous phase, an emulsifier, a chemical gassing agent and a surfactant for increasing the rate of gas generation from the gassing agent. The invention also relates to a method of forming such explosives. As used herein, the term "water-in-oil" will refer to a discontinuous phase of polar or water-miscible droplets emulsified throughout a nonpolar or water-immiscible continuous phase. Such emulsions may or may not actually contain water, and those not containing water sometimes are referred to as "melt-in-oil" emulsions.