Alternative mining explosives could eliminate toxic fumes

Australian scientists have developed a safer blast explosive for open-pit mining that reduces toxic fumes by replacing ammonium nitrate with a hydrogen peroxide gel.

The Mining3 Cooperative Research Centre and the University of Queensland have been testing the alternative explosive formula over the past two years and are in the final stages of commercialisation.

“The simple gel formula can be prepared on site and preliminary tests in over 200 unconfined detonations have demonstrated its ability to match the rock breakage capability of current explosives,” a CRC statement says.