The present invention provides an explosive method that improves on methods currently employed. The present invention provides for a safer, less expensive, and more portable explosive device. The elements of the present invention replace dynamite or similar explosives currently used in avalanche control and bore hole blasting of rock or other solids. The present invention comprises an apparatus and a method providing a much safer alternative employing a highly confined combustion reaction of a flammable vapor, whereas dynamite is a category 1.1 high explosive imbued with all the attendant safety and security concerns. The method of the present invention provides for an improved and safer method of blasting employing a highly confined combustion reaction of a flammable vapor instead of conventional explosives currently used.

The present invention provides an explosive method that improves on methods currently employed. The present invention provides for a safer, less expensive, and more portable explosive device. The elements of the present invention replace dynamite or similar explosives currently used in avalanche control and bore hole blasting of rock or other solids. The present invention comprises an apparatus and a method providing a much safer alternative employing a highly confined combustion reaction of a flammable vapor, whereas dynamite is a category 1.1 high explosive imbued with all the attendant safety and security concerns. The method of the present invention provides for an improved and safer method of blasting employing a highly confined combustion reaction of a flammable vapor instead of conventional explosives currently used.

The present disclosure describes systems and methods for delivering a primer to an operative depth for initiating an explosion of an explosive material in a blasthole. Systems described herein can include a cap structure providing access into the hole and a separable detonator subassembly that can be deployed to convey a detonator to a priming position. Methods of priming a blasthole can include placing such a system on a blasthole collar and deploying the detonator subassembly in conjunction with loading the blasthole with explosive material.

A stemming plug (60) for stemming a blast hole in a mine is disclosed. The plug has first and second wedge-shaped members (62′, 62) manufactured from a suitable plastics material. The first wedge-shaped member (62′) has a first sloping face received in sliding relationship with a matching face of the second wedge-shaped member (62) wherein, in use, when the first wedge-shaped member (62′) is positioned nearest to an explosive material in the blast hole it has a larger surface area facing the explosive material than the second wedge-shaped member (62). In use, when a Shockwave from initiation of the explosive material in the blast hole encounters the first wedge-shaped member (62′) it acts as a piston, sliding on the second wedge-shaped member (62) so that both wedge-shaped members exert diametrically opposed forces against the wall of the blast hole to lock the plug (60) in place. The two wedge-shaped members (62′, 62) may be substantially identical, thus significantly simplifying the manufacturing process.

A stemming plug (60) for stemming a blast hole in a mine is disclosed. The plug has first and second wedge-shaped members (62′, 62) manufactured from a suitable plastics material. The first wedge-shaped member (62′) has a first sloping face received in sliding relationship with a matching face of the second wedge-shaped member (62) wherein, in use, when the first wedge-shaped member (62′) is positioned nearest to an explosive material in the blast hole it has a larger surface area facing the explosive material than the second wedge-shaped member (62). In use, when a Shockwave from initiation of the explosive material in the blast hole encounters the first wedge-shaped member (62′) it acts as a piston, sliding on the second wedge-shaped member (62) so that both wedge-shaped members exert diametrically opposed forces against the wall of the blast hole to lock the plug (60) in place. The two wedge-shaped members (62′, 62) may be substantially identical, thus significantly simplifying the manufacturing process.

An inflatable down hole bag includes an inflatable body for holding an inflation fluid and a container for holding one or more substances. The container is disposed inside of the inflatable body and includes a closure for keeping the one or more substances in the container when the closure is in an inoperative state. The closure also releases the one or more substances from the container when the closure is in an operative state. Release of a substance causes an inflation fluid producing reaction within the inflatable body, thereby inflating the inflatable body. The container includes at least two separated chambers. Each chamber holds a respective one of the substances. The closure includes a stopper for closing a respective opening to one of the chambers. The closure further includes an actuator for removing each stopper from the respective opening so as to release each substance from each respective chamber.

Provided is an extensible spacer (14) for an inflatable blasthole plug (10) in the form of a collapsed bag (12). The spacer (14) includes a body (14.1) attached to the bag (12), and an associated leg formation (16) which may include leg segments (16.1, 16.2).

Provided is an extensible spacer (14) for an inflatable blasthole plug (10) in the form of a collapsed bag (12). The spacer (14) includes a body (14.1) attached to the bag (12), and an associated leg formation (16) which may include leg segments (16.1, 16.2).

An above ground stemming device is described which includes a body configured, in use, to cover an open end of a blast hole loaded with explosives to surface or to within 300 mm of surface. The body has a void containing a stem of superabsorbent polymer gel therein and it is positioned in use to allow the stem of superabsorbent polymer gel to be in contact with the explosives in the blast hole. The body may include a base and an upper portion extending upwardly from the base. The void may extend through the body to an opening in the base. Alternatively, the void may be encased by the body. The body may be fabricated from a rigid material or from a flexible material capable of being inflated with a fluid.

An above ground stemming device is described which includes a body configured, in use, to cover an open end of a blast hole loaded with explosives to surface or to within 300 mm of surface. The body has a void containing a stem of superabsorbent polymer gel therein and it is positioned in use to allow the stem of superabsorbent polymer gel to be in contact with the explosives in the blast hole. The body may include a base and an upper portion extending upwardly from the base. The void may extend through the body to an opening in the base. Alternatively, the void may be encased by the body. The body may be fabricated from a rigid material or from a flexible material capable of being inflated with a fluid.