Low Incendive Explosives for Sulphide Ore Blasting

Résumé du livre

Sulphide dust explosions in underground mines have cause fatalities, serious injuries, and significant damage to equipment. The U.S. Bureau of Mines has engaged in an extensive research project to help alleviate this problem in both the United States and Canada. Hundred of tests have been conducted in the Bureau's Lake Lynn Laboratory Canon Gallery to evaluate the incendivity characteristics of both commercially available and experimental explosive products. The Cannon Gallery test results have clearly identified several low incendive explosives that can significantly reduce the secondary dust ignition hazards associated with blasting in noncoal mines. Explosives Technology International, Inc. (ETI), working in conjunction with the Bureau, has developed several low incendive explosives and inert stemming materials that show promise in reducing the probability of secondary dust ignitions following underground blasting in noncoal mining operations. The Bureau, with technical support from ETI, has field tested a new low incedive pumpable emulsion-ANFO blend product at Union Oil's oil shale project at Parachute Creek, Colorado. A low incendive water gel product is currently undergoing tetsing at Kennecott's Greens Creek sulphide ore mine on Admiralty Island southwest of Juneau, Alaska. Results on the field testing with the low incendive products are most encouraging. No secondary dust ignitions have occurred when using these low incendive products in sulphide ore mines.