Abstract: A buffered emulsion blasting agent is disclosed, particularly suited for use in connection with sulfide and pyrite ores. The buffered emulsion blasting agent comprises an emulsifier, an organic fuel in continuous phase, an oxidizer salt solution in discontinuous phase, and a buffering agent comprising a low molecular weight amine. The low molecular weight amine is preferably an alkylamine or alkanolamine having carbon chain lengths of from 2 to 5 and is more preferably diethanolamine. The buffering agent is present in the buffered emulsion blasting agent in a weight percent that is preferably within a range of from approximately 0.1% to 5%, more preferably within a range of from approximately 0.5% to 1%, and most preferably approximately 0.75%.