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.

A method of loading a blast hole, the method comprising the step of applying a composition to a blast hole wherein the composition provides a barrier layer between an explosive loaded in the blast hole and water in the blast hole.

A method of loading a blast hole, the method comprising the step of applying a composition to a blast hole wherein the composition provides a barrier layer between an explosive loaded in the blast hole and water in the blast hole.

In one preferred form of the present invention there is provided a method of stemming a blast hole with a super absorbent polymer. The method includes providing a super absorbent polymer substance as a gelled length in the blast hole. The gelled length provides a pressure wave reflecting stem, to increase the efficiency of an explosive during blasting, with the explosive being located in the blast hole.

In one preferred form of the present invention there is provided a method of stemming a blast hole with a super absorbent polymer. The method includes providing a super absorbent polymer substance as a gelled length in the blast hole. The gelled length provides a pressure wave reflecting stem, to increase the efficiency of an explosive during blasting, with the explosive being located in the blast hole.

A breaching device includes a body having a tamping material. The body has a target surface that is configured to face a target to be breached and a backing surface that is opposite the target surface. The tamping material is formed of gel and is configured to reflect an explosive force directed way from the target surface towards the target surface.

A breaching device includes a body having a tamping material. The body has a target surface that is configured to face a target to be breached and a backing surface that is opposite the target surface. The tamping material is formed of gel and is configured to reflect an explosive force directed way from the target surface towards the target surface.

A method of loading a blast hole, the method comprising the step of applying a composition to a blast hole wherein the composition provides a barrier layer between an explosive loaded in the blast hole and water in the blast hole.

A method of loading a blast hole, the method comprising the step of applying a composition to a blast hole wherein the composition provides a barrier layer between an explosive loaded in the blast hole and water in the blast hole.