BULK EXPLOSIVE SYSTEM INTRODUCTION: With increasing trend towards large open cast mining the need has

arisen for supply of large quantities of explosives for increased cost effective production. This demand has been met with the introduction of bulk explosive system, which also satisfies an added requirement of absolute safety. Bulk loading is an ideal choice for achieving overall lowest mining cost and excellent safety. The inherent hazard in manufacturing, transportation, storage and handling of cartridge explosive are completely overcome by eliminating these stages and directly manufacturing the explosives not only near the blasting site but also at the blast holes site itself. Bulk systems are essentially those where explosives are delivered directly into the borehole through mechanized and mobile and atomized delivery system with absolute control over the quantity and quality. All the operations are hydraulically or pneumatically controlled for mixing and downloading of the explosives. The charging rates are fairly high and capacity of single delivery unit ranges from 7 to 25 T per load. In view of these features bulk-loading systems are ideally suited to large explosive consumers with consumption levels of 5000 T per annum or more although lower consumption level may also be serviced at a higher cost. I Classification: There are at present four types of delivery systems mainly in use and these are (1) (2) (3) (4) Plant mixed slurry/emulsion. Site mixed slurry/emulsion. Repumpable slurry/emulsion. ANFO/HANFO delivery system.

(1) Plant mixed slurry/emulsion system In this system, premixed slurry is manufactured at a satellite plant located in close proximity to the mine site and is transported in delivery trucks quipped with pumping mechanism. The explosives prepared under controlled conditions and exactly for actual yield requirement is directly pumped into the boreholes. Advantages of this system are - Robust and reliable system. - Explosive prepared under quality control supervision. Disadvantages of plant mixed slurry system - Expensive is carried to the mine site. - Large safety distance for plant - Delivery of a single product (2) Site mixed slurry/emulsion system A mix pump truck carries ingredients in separate containers housed on the truck and the actual mixing takes place at the site of blasting over the boreholes. Calibrated quantities of ingredients are metered and blended together before being pumped into the boreholes. The explosive attains desired density and sensitivity after a short time within borehole. SMS system can offer ultimate safety because the chemical reaction during the blending is not complete at the time of pumping into the boreholes. The diameter of hose used for delivering slurries can be so selected that it is lower than the critical diameter & the explosive designed to be used. SMS explosive can be said to be practically insensitive to external stimuli like heat, impact, friction etc. SMS system can be specially designed for individual mining operations, keeping in consideration the specific requirements and operating parameters to obtain maximum economy and efficiency along with maximum possible safety. The system comprises of

(a) Support plant or satellite plant It is located near the mine or at a centrally located place to supply to a group of mines. No explosive ingredient is stored into it. From some of these ingredients, certain intermediate are prepared and kept ready, it has facility for storing raw materials, preparation of intermediates, quality control utilities, maintenance of pump trucks and equipments, garage water treatment plants, D-G sets etc. (b) Pump truck These trucks are designed to carry all the ingredients required to blend the explosive likely to be needed for blasting and to pump the blended slurry/emulsion through a delivery hose carried on truck. The schematic layout of pump trick is given in figure A predetermined quantity to be pumped into a hole can be set through the control system at site by the operator and then a start button is pressed to pump required slurry/emulsion is discharged through a hose into borehole. The unit stoops as soon as charging completed. Al the operations are hydraulically or pneumatically controlled. Three types a explosive products of varied strength can be varied on the site and poured in to blast holes depending on the nature of strata and sequence desired. Advantages of this system are - Products with varying energy/density level can be offered. - Non-explosive ingredients are carried at all times. Disadvantages of mix pump truck system - No quality checking is possible as the explosive attains explosive properties only after charging in the borehole. Further explosive premix is prepared at site where control/supervision is more difficult. Complicated metering devices are required which restrict mechanical availability.

(c) Repumpable emulsion/slurry system In this system non-explosive premix is prepared under controlled supervision at the plant or on the Gelmaster truck, is carried in a delivery truck to the mine site along with other ingredients. The explosive is mixed in batches and pumped down the borehole where mix attains its explosive properties after a short period of time. The heart of the Gelmaster system is the Gelmaster truck which contains the following equipments Gelmaster mixer bowls which discharge into a blender where aluminum (other solids), if required, is added. (2) Slurry/emulsion pump for pumping the products at high pumping rates (250kg/minutes). (3) Flexible loading hose mounted on a retractable boom for mechanical hose handling. (4) Equipment for dosing of liquid reagents to enable density and stability control. The Gelmaster system, basically operates from a support plant which is as described below The Gelmaster operates from a support plant, which does not handle any explosive ingredients and hence requires a minimum of fixed onsite, support facilities. It basically consists of storage for non-explosive raw materials and facilities for their processing into non-explosive intermediates. Thus, no safety distance unlike fixed explosive plants are required. Operational controls: The Gelmaster system incorporates batch type mixing i.e. dry ingredients and liquid solution for each batch are introduced into the mixing bowl from support plant, mixed to exact specification, sample drawn, tested for quality and only when the batch meets the quality specification, trucks leave for the mine-bench to load the boreholes. At the site all controls relating to on-line gassing, density control and other solids addition for energy variation are monitored from cabin and quantities delivered is displayed on panels. Boom mounted retractable loading hose is also operated from the cab by single operator. (1)

Advantages over earlier two systems are -Non-explosive premix is transported at all stages ensuring maximum safety. -Variations in energy/density are possible to suit specific blasting conditions. -No complicated metering devices, thereby improving mechanical reliability. -No moving parts inside mixing bowl, thereby rendering utmost safety in mixing operation. (d) ANFO/HANFO delivery system ANFO/HANFO delivery requires an auger type delivery system. These units consists of a bin of AN, a fuel oil tank and an emulsion bin (in case of HANFO). The capacities of each bin are roughly 4-8 Tonnes. Separate tanks are also provided for water, bulking/gassing agents. The fuel oil and AN are mixed in a hydraulically driven auger to make ANFO. Then emulsion is added in varying percentages in the boom auger of the truck to make the desired product. To get right density, the emulsion and ANFO must be well mixed. Then, holes are top loaded by placing the discharge end of auger directly above the boreholes. The pump truck is also provided with load cells or RPM based digital meters, which accurately record the weight of the explosive, delivered into a borehole. Explosive quantities can be present and the microprocessor control accurately stoops discharge after preset quantity is delivered into the boreholes. II. Explosive amenable to bulk loading: -

For an explosive to be amenable to bulk loading, it must have a basic quality i.e. it should be free flowing in nature. In the AN-family following explosives find applicability with respect to bulk loading a. ANFO it is a free flowing mixture of AN and FO which is prepared and loaded by anger-type mechanism. It is applicable in medium to hard strata due to its high inherent shock energy. b. HANFO it is and emulsified mixture including AN, FO and emulsion. As the main ingredients provides high flexibility in watery strata.

C. Slurries it is a gelled explosive with high water resistance. It provides the best fume characteristics and is the safest explosive to handle. d. Emulsions it is an intensified mixture of two different liquid phases the oxidizer phase and the fuel phase. It possesses the maximum thrust energy, thus providing a shattering effect. (1) ANFO: ANFO is a simple mixture of prilled ammonium nitrate and fuel oil at the nearly oxygen balanced ratio of 94/6 by weight of AN/FO 6% FO is essential to raise the heat of explosion from 1.5Kj/g for AN prills alone to 3.8Kj/g for ANFO. It must be taken into account that sensitivity of ANFO to initiation needs sensitizing agent for the AN prills. Its composition slightly varies with the varying weather condition in a dry weather, 7 liter of FO suffice for 100 kg AN while in a wet weather, quality of FO has to be increased to 9 liter. Properties: (a) Density Grade Crystalline AN+FO Granular AN+FO Prilled AN+GO Microprilled AN+FO (b) Detonation velocity (c) Detonation pressure (d) Gas volume (e) Absolute weight strength (f) Fume characteristics (g) Shelf life Initiation: As the sensitivity of ANFO, as such is very low, it cant be initiated in the normal way by detonator (no. 6 strength) i.e. it is not cap sensitive. Hence for initiation, ANFO has to be primed with a small quantity of booster, which is a high explosive in itself. It is detonated by a detonator, thus releasing energy sufficient enough to detonate the ANFO
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Density(g/cc) 1.0-1.1 0.9-1.05 0.8-0.9 0.9-1.0 2500-3000m/s 4.8Gpa 970 ltr. /Kg 3.8 MJ/Kg excellent 48 Hours

charge. An important consideration is that the primer, detonators, etc. must be kept aligned with hole, i.e. in-line initiation is to be practiced as otherwise peak explosion pressure is reduced. A cast primer can also initiate it but a larger quantity is required. Some developments: (a) Some times, to meet the requirement of various strengths of the strata, the energy contents and density of explosive has to be varied. Now a day, flake grade aluminum (with particle size 20 to 150 mesh) is added with ANFO to increase the energy and density of the explosive. About 15% AL appears to be the economic limit from performance point of view. (b) When used in weak overburden materials ANFO with its normal constitution, leads to excessive fragmentation. Hence, low density and low cost material such as polystyrene, sawdust, etc. are added in percentages as high as 50% without adversely effecting the fragmentation. Important considerations: (a) AN being hygroscopic in nature renders the explosive ineffective in watery conditions. With above 4% of water in ANFO. Velocity of detonation decreased sharply rendering it useless and the mixture with 9% or more water isnt likely to detonate. (b) Ammonium nitrate changes its crystal structure with increase in temperature. This property is known as the cyclical property of ANFO. From 0-1800F, it changes its crystal structure 5 times and becomes denser at higher temperature. It has been proved that after attaining a density of 1.2 g/cc, it becomes insensitive due to the caking of ammonium nitrate (c) Ammonium nitrate has a critical diameter of 40mm. In practice holes of 62m diameters or above are considered economical. Experiments prove that and increase in blast hole diameter beyond 300mm decreases the sensitivity to initiation of ANFO drastically. Hence, ANFO is a high explosive that provides explosive performance at reasonably low costs. It is very safe to handle, still possesses high strength for the breaking phenomenon.

(d)

(e)

In todays context, with the explosive consumption of most noncoal mines at 150-300 T per year, use of ANFO, hand mixed in their licensed mixing shed, is very common.

(2) SLURRIES: To improve the water resistant properties of ANbased explosives, slurry explosives were developed. Slurry explosives, with jelly like constituency, are referred to as are made up of - Oxidizers (ammonium nitrate, sodium nitrate, sodium perchlorate or calcium nitrate) (50-80%) - Fuel (solid/liquid fuels) (1-10%) - Water (5-20%) - Sensitiser (explosive/non explosive sensitiser) (5-30%) - Stabilizers or binder (hydrophilic colloid such as guar gum, hydrazine salt) (0.1-5.0%) - Density control agent mechanical aeration i.e. creation of voids, surfactants (10-40%) All these ingredients are non-explosive thus boosting up the factors of safety of the explosive, as such. Water resistance build up in the slurries is due to the presence of the hydrophilic colloid (increase the viscosity) and the cross linkers. The colloid released hydrated gum or polysaccharide molecules into the sodium. The cross-linker gives off polyvalent metallic ion. A network of bonds is formed involving both which not only provides a gelled network but also reduces the influence of water. Sensitization in slurries is largely dependent on production and adiabatic compression of air bubbles as described. Density control as described is mainly by creating voids or by using surface acting agents which enhance the degree of intimacy in mixing. Properties(a) Density 1.05-1.25 g/cc (b) Detonation velocity 3000-4500 m/s (c) Water resistance highest among the other forms up to a pressure of 20 Kg/cm2 (d) Fume characteristic excellent (e) Initiation temperature as low as 150c (f) Shelf life 1year (g) Critical diameter 20mm (in unconfined state)

Slurry explosives, like ANFO, are booster sensitive and have to be initiated after priming with small quantities of cast booster. Market products Slurries are generally available in two forms. (a) Cartridge The explosive is packed in polyethylene bags and tied with Al wires. They are available in various diameters as per the requirements at site. In general, following specification holds goodWeight of cartridge Diameter of cartridge Major manufacturers include IDL industries ltd. IBP Ltd. ICI India ltd. IGEL, KEL, Maharashtra Explosives Ltd. Navbharat Explosives Ltd etc. (b) Bulk system: Due to their constitutional features, slurries are amenable to bulk mixing and loading. The manufacturers include IBP Ltd. ICI India ltd. IGEL, IDL etc. Important considerations 1. Slurry explosives offer greater safety during manufacture and usage, and hence are leading to the gradual replacement of NG based explosives in spite of possessing a lower strength. 2. They are completely insensitive to the various types of shock, bullet, impact and friction stimuli. 3. Proper density control is very crucial for maximizing the sensitivity characteristics of slurries, as they are critically dependent on initiation mechanism, as they do not contain any explosive ingredient. 4. Slurry explosives are amenable to bulk mixing and loading procedures. This remarkable time controlled concept with its successful field implementation has lead to its large flexibility, reduction in costs and better performances with same explosive compositions.

5. To increase the density VOD and strength of slurries it can be mixed with fuel grade Al powder such slurries are called aluminized slurries.

(3) Emulsion: Emulsion explosives combine the high strength; rapid combustion and water resistant characteristics of NG based explosives with the safety characteristics of slurry explosives. Basically an emulsion is two-phased system in which a dispersed phase (oxidizer) is distributed in a continuous phase (fuel). Here, both phases are in liquid stage hence it can also be defined as an intimate mixture of the liquids that do not dissolve in each other. In practice, when oil (represents fuel) and water (represents oxidizer solution) are mixed together, oil coalesces and the two phases separate out due to the instability of the mixture. But, if and emulsifying agent is added, it prevents the coalescence of water oil globules by developing an affinity in each towards each other. Its basic operating mechanism includes(1) Reduction of interfacial tension which reduces the inter phobic nature of both oil and water. (2) Formation of rigid interfacial film, which holds both the phases together. (3) Development of electrical charges, which ultimately develop an attraction force. Depending upon the mixing, emulsion can be of two types (a) Water-in-oil type: A discontinuous phase of oxidizer is dispersed in a continuous phase of oil. (b) Oil-in-water type: A discontinuous phase of fuel oil is dispersed in continuous phase of oxidizer. Of these, water-in-oil type is the commonly preferred mix. Depending upon the application, emulsions can be classified as (a) Hot mix or straight emulsion: - It is used when the end use temperature exceeds 500c. (b) Repumpable emulsion: - It is chosen when the end use temperature is lower than 500c.

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Composition: (a) Oxidizer - 90 93% (Super saturated salt solution to reduce water levels) (b) Fuels 9 4% (Liquid fuels) (c) Emulsifiers 1- 3% (As emulsifying agents) This is the basic composition of an emulsion but for assigning certain properties and varying the product range, certain additives have to be included. They are (1) For sensitization (micro balloons or chemical gassing agents) (2) For increasing the energy content (a) Prilled AN added. (b) Different grades and different proportions of AL may be added. The most striking fact about emulsions is the intimate mix obtained by virtue of tight compaction between minute nitrate solution droplets and the continuous fuel phase. Properties: (a) Density 1.15 1.35 g/cc (b) V.O.D. 4000 5500 m/s (c) Water resistance comparable with slurries. (d) Fume characteristics inferior to slurries as nitrous fumes may be produced. (e) Initiation temperature as low as 100c. (f) Shelf life 7 8 Months. (g) Critical diameter 25mm Emulsions are very difficult t manufacture like slurries, may be also booster sensitive. Hence, for initiation, they have to be primed with a small quantity (<0.2%) of cast booster. Market products: Emulsions are also available in two forms: (a) Cartridge: (They are packed in polyethylene bags tied with AL wires) available diameters are 83, 125, 175, 200 mm or else with variation coming in with the change in brands and requirements. Major manufacturers include IDL, ICI, IBP, and IGEL etc.
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(b)

Bulk systems: Due to their free flowing nature, emulsions are amenable to bulk loading. The manufacturers include IBP, ICI, IGEL and Anil chemicals Ltd etc.

Important considerations: (A) Unique property of emulsions are due to the minute size of nitrate solution droplets and their tight VOD and unlike other AN based explosives, they provide a shattering effect. (B) They possess a excellent water resistance as every oxidizer droplet is covered by a fuel film. (C) Emulsions are ever booster insensitive if sensitizing voids are not added into the mix. T6hils is due to the absence of any explosive ingredient in the basic mix. (4) HANFO: The AN-based explosives, as such, are very cost effective, with ANFO riding the lowest seat having low manufacturing and usage costs followed by emulsions and slurries. HANFO provides the user with a high explosive having high comparable strengths, having the costs lower than slurries and emulsions. In the modern mining context HANFO is gaining wide acceptance due to its versatility. It is an explosive that can comfortable and manually be mixed in the approved ANFO mixing sheds if the per annum explosive consumption large behinds 500 T mark. For dealing with higher consumption levels, the user can opt for bulk mixing and loading systems. And more importantly, it doesnt require any explosive magazine for storage. HANFO, which is presently used with bulk systems in general, can be classifieds as per its composition. Following are its types: (a) 30% ANFO with 70% emulsion: It is the most water resistant HANFO product with high inherent strength but low sensitivity. (b) 50% ANFO with 50% emulsion. (c) 70% ANFO with 30% emulsion. These compositions are selected as per the requirement of strata and watery conditions of the holes. Also the bulk density of ANFO can be increased from 0.9 g/cc to 1.3 g/cc by increasing emulsion.

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Properties: Properties of HANFO differ largely with varying product range as is evident from the following table. Product composition % % Emulsion ANFO 95 5 90 10 80 20 70 30 Initiation: Sensitivity to initiation, in case of HANFO, largely depends on the % of emulsion in the HANFO matrix, with the sensitivity decreasing with increasing % of emulsion. HANFO, as other AN-based explosives, is booster-sensitive. The minimum booster requirement depends on the type field mixing adopted: (a) In case of hand mixing, apart from the PETN cast booster, 6-7% of cartridge primer is recommended fro hole diameter of 165 mm and above and 8-10 for 100mm diameter holes. (b) In case of bulk mixed HANFO, primer cartridge is not used. Also the minimum booster requirement with regard to PETN cast booster sensitivity is imparted to the matrix by emulsion plus the mechanized blending. Important considerations: (1) High flexibilities can be achieved in drilling/blasting patterns due to higher energy content of HANFO. 10 30% increment can be achieved in considerable cost savings in drilling. (2) Due to the high-energy content, good fragmentation is achieved. This improves the utilization of handling the machinery and crusher to an extent of 5 20% and 10 15respectively. (3) It is recommended that emulsified ANFO be used in borehole diameters of 100mm and above. Density g/cc 0.95-1.0 1.0-1.05 1.15-1.2 1.25-1.3 VOD m/s 3000-4000 -do-do-doStrength ANFO=1 1.04 1.10 1.12 1.16 Water resistance Fair Satisfactory Good Very good

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(4) (5) (6)

With bulk HANFO, is possible to have products of varying energy contents and water resistances, as the requirement goes, in the same borehole. Emulsified ANFO is suited for use in medium hard to very hard strata. Its use is precluded only in extreme watery conditions or with water under high pressure continuously flowing into it.

Property wise comparison of AN-based explosive: (1) Strength: All AN-based explosives have larger bulk strength as compared to their weight strength. Following table shows the strength comparison of various products. Explosive Relative bulk strength (ANFO=100) ANFO 100 HANFO 110 Slurries comparable with HANFO Emulsion 130 (2) Sensitivity: Sensitivity decreases with increasing density hence, it follows that maximum sensitivity is possessed by ANFO followed by slurries and HANFO and the emulsions requiring maximum no. of blasting caps. (3) V.O.D. (in m/s) ANFO 2500 3000 HANFO 3000 4000 Slurries 3000 4500 Emulsion 4000 5500 (4) Density (in g/cc) ANFO 0.80 1.05 HANFO 0.95 1.30 Slurries 1.05 1.25 Emulsion 1.15 1.35
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(5) Fume characteristics The sequence of excellence in decreasing order is 1. Slurries 2. ANFO 3. HANFO 4. Emulsions. Still, the fume characteristics may be categorized as fair even for emulsions. (6) Water resistance The sequence of excellence in decreasing order may be 1. Emulsion 2. Slurries 3. HANFO (comparable with slurries) 4. ANFO (7) Critical diameter 1. ANFO 40mm 2. Slurries 20mm 3. Emulsions 25mm 4. HANFO 40mm (8) Shelf life 1. ANFO 48 hours 2. HANFO 15 30 days 3. Slurries 12 months 4. Emulsion 7 8 months (9) Cost comparison Comparison of the landed costs of some explosives is as follows Company product (1) SMS (IBP) (2) SME (KEL) (3) SME (NFCL) landed cost (Rs/T) 28428.61 25041.37 24978.45

Case study: - charging and blasting carried out at south block by different companys bulk explosive system and by cartridge explosive system. The performance is attached. This shows the powder factor of the different explosives. For the same hole depth, hole diameter, burden, spacing, bench height and almost same type of strata.
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EXPLOSIVES LANDED COST COMPARISON 30000

25000 NFCL NOVA BOOST 20000 COST (RS/T) NFCL NOVA BASE NFCL NOVA COLUMN KEL KELVEX-800 15000 KEL KELVAN EXTRA KEL KELVEX EXTRA KEL SME 10000 IBP SMS NFCL SME 5000

0 1 2 EXPLOSIVES PRODUCT 3

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Pow dr factor com parison

5.748024948

5 Poder Factor (T/Kg)

4.962836481 4.616226487 4.220976911

IBP (SMS) NFCL(SME) KEL(SME)

Cartridge Explosive

0 1 Explosive System 2

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Advantages of bulk explosive system: 1. Safety & Security: Never at any stage, an explosive ingredient is stored or transported at the mining site. Further, they are insensitive to initiation by shock, friction, impact, fire etc. At present scenario the use of explosive & explosive material in he Bailadila sector from the security point of view there is always a fear of being robbed or taken away by misgive and misuse of it. Form last two years many cases of misuse of explosive materials has occurred in this region and the activities of Naxalites is increasing and increasing. Keeping in mind all these happenings, the storage of explosives and related material in such remote place is not safe, although the security has provided. The use of bulk explosives avoids the storage of such huge quantity of cartridge explosive and other hazardous material the use of bulk explosives avoids the misuse of explosive. 2. Inventory: No inventory needs to be maintained and hence no investments in large magazine are necessary only single small magazine is sufficient for keeping detonator, detonating fuse, safety fuse and other detonating material. This will save the cost magazine security, maintenance and license of the magazine. 3. Explosive Vans & Transportation of explosives: Large numbers of carrier vans are not required. Due to the flexibility and fast operation of the trucks, a single truck can serve the whole bench. Transportation of explosives comprises always a risk of being exploded due to any accident or shock. For transportation of conventional explosives large number of explosive vans is required. But in the case bulk explosive system only one pump truck can serve the entire mine. The most important aspect of the bulk explosive system is that they are never carried as an explosive through the mining area in the plump trucks. The actual
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explosive characteristics are rendered to the nonexplosive premix only at the site by means of sensitization and density control. 4. Man Power: Considerable manpower savings are obtained with less deployment of van drivers, helpers, blasting crew and magazine staff. Also, due to the use of skilled manpower (only) the performance is positively improved. The manpower of the blasting crew can be deployed for other mining purpose. And some of the security persons deployed in the magazine area can be placed for security of other part of the mine. 5. Speed of operation: Swift charging rates of about 250 300 Kg/min are achieved by bulk trucks. 6. Explosive product: High flexibility, due to the tailor made products at par with density and energy required, is achieved with the bulk system. Also when ANFO, slurries, dynamite or other gelatinous explosives. 7. Blasting Efficiency: Full borehole coupling is achieved with the bulk system. This enables in expanding burden/spacing parameters reducing drilling and blasting costs at the same performance level. 8. Pilferage: As the trucks are non-explosive in nature throughout the operation, no explosive pilferage results. 9. Effective Land use: As per a case study, for a plant dealing with 5000TPA explosive capacity, only 2 Acres of land is consumed with bulk systems, which 275 Acres of land is consumed with conventional system for the same capacity.
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10.Cost Savings: Although the cost of bulk explosive per tone is some what more, but it compensate the cost in other parts such as maintenance, transportation, manpower handling, magazine costs etc. thus we can save some cost of explosive use.

11.Present production target: Since the targets of our mines are high and are highly mechanized. Therefore the daily production requirement of the mine is high and to meet this requirement daily charging and blasting is needed in huge amount. To meet the present production target of our mine, charging operation can be met only with the bulk explosive system. 12.Energy characteristics: Large diameter explosives characteristics cannot be change once they are manufactured. Whereas the energy characteristics of bulk explosive we can obtain as we desire at the site itself. The average chemical properties and performance of free flowing or bulk explosives are as follows: Expl. Type ANFO Al ANFO NCNSlurries Slurries (sms) Expl. Density (g/cc) 0.8-0.9 0.8-0.9 0.8-1.35 0.65-1.55 Relative weight VOD (m/s) strength (%) 100 101-150 70-140 80-135 2000-5000 2000-4800 3000-4500 4000-6000 Detonation pressure (K bar) 10-60 10-60 20-80 50-150

The chemical properties and performance of bulk explosive (slurry) is very suitable for the iron ore mine, also the fume characteristic of the slurry explosive is good.
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Conclusion Considering the advantages in respect of safety, security, anti-social element, inventory, explosive vans & transportation, manpower, speed of operation, explosive product, blasting efficiency, pilferage, effective land use, net cost saving, present production target and energy characteristics over the cartridge explosive system. We can conclude that the bulk explosive system is more suitable for Bailadila Iron Ore Mine. Statutory fulfillment: (1) All the pump trucks shall be within valid period of license. (2) Earthling chain shall be provided in all pump trucks and explosive vans. (3) The length of the hose shall be not less than 40m, so that the pump truck can be parked at a safe distance from charging site. (4) While charging the hose shall be inserted in the borehole up to the bottom and then it should be raised slowly the explosive will fill in the bore hole. (5) Proper running flow meter shall be provided.

References 1. 2. 3. 4. Manual of explosive of IBP Ltd. Blasting practices in India by G.K.Pradhan. Report on feasibility study of AN-based explosives. Field data.

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