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Underground Mining and Planning
Methods
BLASTING THEORY
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Blasting Theory - Outline
1. Learning Objectives
2. Theory
3. Explosives Types/Products
4. Development Blasting
5. Production Blasting
6. Secondary Breakage
7. Blasting Costs
8. References
9. Practical
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1. Learning Objectives
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3
Learning Objectives
At the end of this class, students should be able to:
Understand uses of various bulk explosives
Understand the how ore body/rock mass geometry should affect the blast
design
Design a production blast using rule of thumb
Able to design a cut
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2. Theory
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Terminology
Cut an arrangement of holes which have been designed to form free-
faces in rock
Burden the linear distance between the rings of holes
Toe Spacing the linear distance between the toes of the holes within a
ring
Uncharged Collars the portion of a drill hole that is not charged with
explosive
Powder Factor the quantity of explosive per tonne or cubic metre of rock
required
P i t h l th h l th d f th ti Perimeter holes the holes on the edge of the excavation
Knee holes the holes in a development face at approximately knee
height, generally second row of holes from the floor.
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Theory of breaking rock underground
Similar to surface blasting.
Higher powder factors required than surface blasting.
Underground blast patterns consist of a cut, bulkholes and perimeter holes.
To design a blast, you need to understand the mechanisms of fracturing in-situ
rock using explosives.
Basically, for any material to be broken, ruptured or penetrated, the explosive
strength must be greater than the material strength.
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Explosive Characteristics
Explosives are defined by two strength values:
Bulk Strength is energy per unit volume of rock
Weight Strength is energy per unit weight of rock
Velocity of Detonation (VOD) is the rate at which the detonation wave
passes through the explosive charge
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3. Explosive Types & Products
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Categories of Explosives
Deflagrating Explosives
Explosives initiated by a flame or spark
VOD of less than 2000m/s
Examples are black powder HMX in Nonel tubes Examples are black powder, HMX in Nonel tubes.
High Explosives
Initiated by shock from another explosive like a detonator, primer and booster.
VOD between 2500m/s to 7500m/s
Examples are ANFO, emulsions, nitroglycerine
Initiating Explosives
Used to initiate other explosives Used to initiate other explosives
VOD greater than 7500m/s
Examples are PETN in detonating cord, ASA used in detonators.
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High Explosives
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Initiating Explosives
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4. Development Blasting
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Development Blasting
The critical drilling and blasting conditions in development or tunnel blasting
are found in the following key locations:
Burn cut;
Stripping holes, or those blast holes immediately in from the perimeter
charges;
Perimeter charges.
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Development Blasting
Number of blastholes
Underground operations vary the number of blastholes, as a function of drift size.
Area of Drive
(m
2
)
Number of
Charged Holes
Total Number
of Holes
Depth of
Blastholes
Diameter of
Blastholes
Diameter of
Uncharged
Holes
<9 31 36 34 40 2.1 2.4 32 35 45 64
915 38 40 43 45 2.7 3.0 38 57 76102
15 25 40 48 43 55 3.0 3.6 32 64 38 102
Placement of blastholes
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Varying concentration of explosive energy as a function of the position of the blasthole in the
face.
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Development Blasting Burn Cut
The success of the burn cut has the greatest impact on the performance of
the remainder of the blast round.
The uncharged relief holes in the cut provide the dual purpose of an
additional free face to break towards, and secondly, provide for a method of additional free face to break towards, and secondly, provide for a method of
ensuring some degree of looseness of the broken muck.
Interaction in the burn cut is common because of the close spacing of the
blastholes, commonly resulting from inaccurate drilling or open
discontinuities or fractures linking blastholes. Blastholes should be
positioned in the face taking account of the local structure, noting that open
fractures are preferentially orientated along the strike of the structure,
rather than perpendicular to it Hence, two blastholes, A and B, as shown in
th t fi lik l t i t t lt fth hi h the next figure are more likely to interact as a result ofthe high pressure
gases permeating through the local strocture, than blastholes A and C.
Rotating cut holes
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Design of cut
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Development Blasting
STRIPPING HOLES
The blastholes positioned between the box cut and the perimeter charges
can be termed stripping holes and have the prime objective of breaking and
displacing the rock towards both the void created by the burn cut, and the
tunnel free face tunnel free face.
LIFTERS
The proper performance of the lifters (charges along the baseline of the
round) is essential to achieve good floor control. These charges must not be
adversely affected by the rowof holes immediately above these (knee holes).
PERIMETER HOLES
Th i t h l l t d th i l d ift b d The perimeter holes are located on the nominal drift boundary.
The optimumspacing is a function of the blasthole diameter, with trial results
showing that a spacing for the perimeter blastholes of 13 to 17 times the
blasthole diameter has produced acceptable results.
To limit the damage from the breast holes, commonly the burden is kept
above 80%of the spacing,
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Explosive Used in Development
Powergel or Emulite
Detonating Cord
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Electric Detonators
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Tying In Development Faces
Cord clip development faces
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Bunch Connection development faces
5. Production Blasting
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Production Blasting
The objectives of production blasting
Fragmentation of ore-bearing rock.
Maximum recovery of ore with minimum dilution.
Maintain stable ground conditions around the stope Maintain stable ground conditions around the stope.
Blast patterns vary depending on the mining methods.
Benching most likely have vertical holes
Open stoping will have fanned rings
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Production Blasting
A production blast consists of
A slot raise
A slot, cut-off or cut-off slot
Rings Rings
Factors to consider with production blasting
Faults
Ring orientation
Slot placement
Stope geometry
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Explosive Used in Production Blasting
Detonating Cord
Cast Primers
Ring Spider
Nonel Detonators
Electronic Detonators
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Electric Detonators
Nonel Detonators
Underground Charging
Explosive companies
have specialised trucks
for charging emulsion.
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Powder Factors
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Burden & Spacing
Calculating the burden and spacing
Charge Length (CL) =Avg Hole Length (L) 0.7(30 * d/1000)
Where d =hole diameter
Weight of explosives (W) =CL x Loading Density
Volume of Rock (V) =W/ Powder Factor (PF)
Area of rock blasted (A) =V/L
Rule of thumb for toe spacing S =(1 to 1.8) Burdens (B)
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Ring Blasting
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6. Secondary Breakage
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Secondary Breakage
Secondary Breakage is required when the fragmentation of the primary
blast is poor.
Two ways of undertaking secondary blasting:
Popping Popping
Plaster blasting
Higher costs associated with secondary blasting.
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Secondary Breaking
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7. Blasting Costs
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8. References
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References
www.oricaminingservices.com
www.dynonobel.com
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9. Practical
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Practical Exercise
1. Design a development face with the following parameters:
5 m x 5m arched
45mm diameter holes
2. Calculate the burden and spacing for a stope with the following parameters:
Level spacing 40 m
Powder factor 0.9 kg/m
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using the following hole diameters 89, 102 and 140 mm.
3 Determine the annual blasting cost for the following parameters: 3. Determine the annual blasting cost for the following parameters:
1,500,000 tpa mine
2,400 m development per year
Production drilling density 15 t/m @ 102mm diameter
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PACKAGED EXPLOSIVES
Prices are quoted in Australian dollars (AUD) and GST exclusive.
Prices apply for goods ex-warehouse in Australia.

ANFO
ANFO is a cost effective, simple explosive suited to dry conditions. ANFO is a mixture of Ammonium
Nitrate and Fuel Oil. t provides large gas volumes and hence a greater proportion of heave energy
than emulsion blends. ANFO is not suitable for wet conditions.

Code Product Description West $ / Tonne East $ / Tonne

ANP000025 ANFO P 25KG BAG $2,014.00 NA
ANP000020 ANFO P 20KG BAG NA $2,288.80
ANP000500 ANFO P 500KG BAG $1848.00 $2,288.80

SANFOLD


SANFOLD

is a low density explosive for use in tunnel perimeters. The density of the explosive is
lowered through the use of polystyrene beads. Segregation of the explosive is prevented through the
addition of a tackifier, in this case one of the TTAN emulsions. The product is loaded through a
conventional ANFO loader, making it compatible with existing loading equipment.

Code Product Description Weight West $ / Tonne East $ / Tonne

ANSF00008 SANFOLD

30/70 8kg Bag POA POA

ANSF00012 SANFOLD

50/50 12.5kg Bag POA POA

ANSF00018 SANFOLD

Z 70/30 18kg Bag POA POA

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POWERMITE

Pro & Z-BAR


The POWERMTE

Pro series provides a choice of energies suitable for a variety of blasting

conditions.
Z-BAR

is a contour product, designed to deliver the perfect solution for precision blasting in wet or
dry underground developments.

Code Product Description Weight West $ / Case East $ / Case

PW00002502 POWERMTE

PRO 25MM X 200MM 25KG $239.95 $265.99

PW00002508 POWERMTE

PRO 25MM X 700MM 25KG $233.25 $259.29

PW00003202 POWERMTE

PRO 32MM X 200MM 25KG $230.29 $256.34

PW00003208 POWERMTE

PRO 32MM X 700MM 25KG $223.50 $249.54

PW00005504 POWERMTE

PRO 55MM X 200MM 25KG $226.85 $252.89

PW00006504 POWERMTE

PRO 65MM X 400MM 25KG $224.58 $250.63

PW00008004 POWERMTE

PRO 80MM X 400MM 25KG $224.58 $250.63

ZB00202025 Z-BAR

EDGE 19MM 2.5M 20KG $448.89 $451.41

ZB00202030 Z-BAR

EDGE 19MM 3.0M 20KG $448.89 $451.41

ZB00202035 Z-BAR

EDGE 19MM 3.5M 20KG $448.89 $451.41

ZB00202040 Z-BAR

EDGE 19MM 4.0M 20KG $448.89 $451.41

ZB00203025 Z-BAR

LFTER 29MM 2.5M 25KG $390.95 $393.47

ZB00203030 Z-BAR

LFTER 29MM 3.0M 25KG $390.95 $393.47

ZB00203035 Z-BAR

LFTER 29MM 3.5M 25KG $390.95 $393.47

ZB00203040 Z-BAR

LFTER 29MM 4.0M 25KG $390.95 $393.47

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INITIATION SYSTEMS
Prices are quoted in Australian dollars (AUD) and GST exclusive.
Prices apply for goods ex-warehouse in Australia.

NONEL

MS Series
The NONEL

MS detonator is a millisecond, high strength delay detonator series featuring 28 delays

and can range from 25 to 1000 milliseconds.
The MS Series provides an excellent down-hole initiating system appropriate for all mining
applications. When used in conjunction with surface delays, the MS gives effective and accurate
down-hole timing sequences.

Unit /
Case
West Pricing East Pricing
Product Description $ / Case* $ / Each* $ / Case* $ / Each*

NONEL

MS 4.8m 200 $1,399.99 $7.00 $1,377.03 $6.89

NONEL

MS 6.0m 150 $1,179.47 $7.86 $1,156.51 $7.71

NONEL

MS 7.2m 150 $1,296.60 $8.64 $1,273.64 $8.49

NONEL

MS 9.0m 100 $1,222.91 $12.23 $1,199.95 $12.00

NONEL

MS 12.0m 75 $1,029.34 $13.72 $1,006.37 $13.42

NONEL

MS 15.0m 75 $1,136.57 $15.15 $1,113.61 $14.85

NONEL

MS 18.0m 50 $1,231.16 $24.62 $1,208.20 $24.16

NONEL

MS 24.0m 30 $782.86 $26.10 $759.90 $25.33

(*) = Prices are for Standard Delays only. Other lengths on request. Everything above 24 m to use
HD shock tube.

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NONEL

MS HD Series
The NONEL

MS HD Series provides added strength for heavy duty applications.

Unit /
Case
West Pricing East Pricing
Product Description $ / Case* $ / Each* $ / Case* $ / Each*

NONEL

MS HD 7.2m 150 $1,938.07 $12.92 $1,915.11 $12.77

NONEL

MS HD 9.0m 100 $1,467.99 $14.68 $1,445.03 $14.46

NONEL

MS HD 12.0m 75 $1,249.58 $16.66 $1,226.62 $16.35

NONEL

MS HD 15.0m 75 $1,411.26 $18.82 $1,388.30 $18.51

NONEL

MS HD 18.0m 50 $1,285.6 $25.71 $1,262.64 $25.25

NONEL

MS HD 24.0m 30 $916.49 $30.55 $893.53 $29.78

NONEL

MS HD 30.0m 30 $1,056.72 $35.22 $1,033.76 $34.46

NONEL

MS HD 36.0m 30 $1,166.60 $38.89 $1,143.64 $38.12

NONEL

MS HD 45.0m 30 $1,408.79 $46.96 $1,385.83 $46.19

NONEL

MS HD 60.0m 30 $1,724.89 $57.50 $1,701.93 $56.73

NONEL

MS HD 80.0m 30 $2761.29 $92.04 $2,738.33 $91.28

(*) = Prices are for Standard Delays only.





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NONEL

MS Connector Series
The MS Connector Series provide an excellent surface delay system appropriate for mining and
construction applications. The MS Connector is used in combination with detonating cord to provide
millisecond timing and can be safely used in conditions up to 70C.

Product Description West $ / Each East $ / Each



NONEL

MS CONNECTOR $8.94 $8.82

STANDARD DELAY RANGE
17ms, 25ms, 42ms, 67ms, 109ms, 176ms

NONEL

EZTL
NONEL

EZTL detonators, used in conjunction with the MS series, provide an excellent surface
initiation system appropriate for all mining and construction applications. The EZTL detonators
feature delays ranging from 0 to 200 milliseconds.

Unit /
Case
West Pricing East Pricing
Product Description $ / Case* $ / Each* $ / Case* $ / Each*

NONEL

EZTL 4.8m 150 $1,291.65 $8.61 $1,268.69 $8.46

NONEL

EZTL 6.0m 150 $1,393.94 $9.29 $1,370.98 $9.14

NONEL

EZTL 7.2m 150 $1,466.53 $9.78 $1,443.57 $9.62

NONEL

EZTL 9.0m 100 $1,088.73 $10.89 $1,065.77 $10.66

NONEL

EZTL 12.0m 75 $1.136.57 $15.15 $1,113.61 $14.85

NONEL

EZTL 15.0m 75 $1,241.33 $16.55 $1,218.37 $16.24

NONEL

EZTL 18.0m 50 $961.14 $19.22 $938.15 $18.76

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(*) = Prices are for Standard Delays only
STANDARD DELAY RANGE
17ms, 25ms, 42ms, 67ms, 109ms, 176ms
For non-standard delays, prices will be provided on request.

NONEL

LP Series
The NONEL

LP series provides an excellent in-hole initiating system appropriate for underground

mining and construction applications. Effective and accurate in-hole long period timing sequences are
available, featuring 19 delays ranging from 25 to 8000 milliseconds. Colour coded and stamped cord
clips allow for easy identification.

West Pricing East Pricing
Product Description Unit / Case $ / Case* $ / Each* $ / Case* $ / Each*

NONEL

LP 4.8m 200 $1,175.62 $5.88 $1,152.66 $5.76

NONEL

LP 5.4m 175 $1,071.96 $6.13 $1,048.99 $5.99

NONEL

LP 6.0m 150 $960.04 $6.40 $937.08 $6.25

NONEL

LP 7.2m 150 $999.59 $6.66 $976.63 $6.51

(*) = Prices are for Standard Delays 0 to 18
Other lengths available on request, contact your DNAP representative for more information.



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NONEL

Starter
NONEL

Starter is used as a lead-in line from a safe firing position to the blasting location. t can be
used to initiate blasts with NONEL detonators or detonating cord. A NONEL Starter consists of a
length of NONEL tube sealed at one end and a NONEL UB Connector attached at the other end.

Product Description Length West $ / Each East $ / Each

NONEL

STARTER 300m $179.27 $173.53

NONEL

STARTER 500m $320.65 $314.91

NONEL

Lead Line
NONEL

Lead Line (also known as Extendaline

) is a reel-off NONEL tube system used as a lead-in

line for the blast initiation, where large firing distances are required. The Lead Line initiation system
can be joined to other surface NONEL tube systems and cut to a required length.

Product Description Length West $ / Each East $ / Each

NONEL

LEAD LNE 3000m 3000m $1,630.63 $1,620.06

EIectric Detonator

Product Description West $ / Each East $ / Each

ELECTRC DETONATOR NSTANTANEOUS 3.0m $6.68 $6.56


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SmartShot EIectronic Detonator System
Customers can realise, in the shortest possible time, the considerable benefits from converting to
electronic initiators, through Dyno Nobel's benchmarking service of existing blast performance. The
service extends to blast design recommendations that capitalise on the features of our electronic
detonator systems.

Code Product Description West $ / Each East $ / Each

SS302354 SMARTSHOT DETONATOR 10m x 7m $67.15 $66.29
SS302364 SMARTSHOT DETONATOR 20m x 10m $71.40 $70.12
SS302379 SMARTSHOT DETONATOR 20m x 15m $77.98 $76.70
SS302385 SMARTSHOT DETONATOR 25m x 0.2m $73.21 $71.93
SS302380 SMARTSHOT DETONATOR 35m x 0.2m $77.98 $76.70
SS302384 SMARTSHOT DETONATOR 45m x 0.2m $85.02 $83.75
SS302395 SMARTSHOT DETONATOR 60m x 0.2m $91.49 $90.22
SS302532 SMARTSHOT STRNG STARTER $72.08 $69.79
HT202540 HOTSHOT CONNECTOR REPLACEMENT KT $21.05 $21.05
HT201181 HOTSHOT EXTENDER 10m $22.31 $22.31
HT201183 HOTSHOT EXTENDER 5m $19.78 $19.78

Detonating Cord
PRMACORD

5 and PRMALNE

10 Detonating Cord have been designed for use as surface and
downhole initiating lines. PRMALNE

10 is used for side initiation of explosives and may be used in
combination with PRMACORD

5. Nominal core loads are 5.3 and 10.6g/m.



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Code
Product Description Metres/ Case West $ / KM East $ / KM

A320000MA

PRMACORD 5-A 5.3 g/m (25g/ft) 2 x 500m $1,098.80 $1,009.79
A340000MA

PRMALNE 10-A 10.6 g/m (50g/ft) 2 x 350m $1,395.95 $1,306.95

Boosters
Cast boosters range comprises the following products:
TROJAN

SPARTAN 400 is the standard booster for use in large diameter blast holes.
TROJAN

SPARTAN 150 is the standard product for use in small diameter blast holes.
Note both of the above boosters are cap sensitive and can be used with either NONEL MS, LP, MS
HD, MS HT or Smartshot electronic detonators.
TROJAN

NB Universal 400 is the detcord sensitive booster for use in large diameter blast holes
and are 3.6 g/m detonating cord sensitive.
Doubledet

boosters are designed to accommodate two NONEL detonators, thus providing a

second back up detonator in a single booster.
Ringprime

is specifically designed for use in upholes found in underground mines.

Code Product Description West $ / Each East $ / Each

SP0150 TROJAN

SPARTAN 150g 95/CS $9.06 $8.89

SP0400EX TROJAN

SPARTAN 400g Export 40/CS $11.86 $11.42

NBU0400 TROJAN

NB UNVERSAL 400g 40/CS POA POA

BT8002035 RNGPRME

BOOSTER 250g $11.44 $10.98

BT8002085 DOUBLEDET

BOOSTER 450g $11.94 $11.47

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BLAST ACCESSORIES
Prices are quoted in Australian dollars (AUD) and GST exclusive.
Prices apply for goods ex warehouse in Australia.
Code Product Description West $ / Each
East $ /
Each

LO8001030 Ringprime

Spider 65-89mm $4.19 $3.86

LO8001085 150 gram Booster Spiders 65-89mm $2.42 $2.58
AC8003010 Starter Gun Holster $61.94 $61.94
AC8003080 Detonating Cord Cutters $75.20 $75.20
AC8003085 J-Style Cord Cutter $13.60 $11.31
AC8003045 Shotshell Primers $11.55 POA
AC8001035 Photo Electric Circuit Tester $771.21 $771.21
AC8003050 Primer Caps HN1 $0.66 $0.43
AC8003095 NONEL

Extendaline Joiner Kit (50 EA) $44.91 $44.91

5115070117 NONEL

Starter Gun DNE HN1 $1,950 $1,950

5115080052 DynoStart DS2 $1,500 $1,500
5115080056 Electrode for DynoStart $106.75 $106.75
AC8001020 Ausdet 10 Shot Exploder $952.99 $952.99
AC8001030 Blasting Ohmmeter $673.89 $673.89
AC8002035 Twin Bell Wire 500m Red and White $385.62 $385.61
AC8002040 Shotfiring Cable Heavy Duty 100m $323.63 $321.34
AC8003035 Skewers 20cm (1000 per BOX) $87.02 $87.02
LO8001045 Red Cap 76mm - 102mm $4.21 $4.21
LO8001045 Red Cap 102mm - 115mm $4.98 $4.98
LO8001050 Stempac Stemming Device 76mm POA POA
LO8001055 Stempac Stemming Device 89mm $44.94 $44.94
LO8001060 Stempac Stemming Device 102mm $49.30 $49.30
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LO8002015 ANFO Lo-Stat 20mm Semi Rigid Hose $927.01 $927.01
LO8002025 ANFO Rigid 25mm Loading Hose $2,005.15 $2,005.15