Demolition and Mining Explosives Manufacturers Key Terms

Blow up your knowledge with demolition and mining explosives terminology

By Howard Robertson

Explosives play an important role in the demolishing and mining business. Blasters put demolition explosives strategically around the building to be demolished and control the direction in which the building will fall.

In mining activities, explosives blast huge rocks and provide miners with access to minerals and other natural resources. If you are new to the demolition and mining explosives manufacturing business, you will find the following key terms useful.

Nitroglycerin dynamite

Dynamite is a construction and mining explosive made out of nitroglycerin. Historically, dynamite has been of use in warfare, but it is now used mostly in the demolition of buildings and in quarrying mines.
Try: Learn more about nitroglycerin dynamites at 3Dchem.com, a website by Dr. Karl Harrison.

Blasting agents or tertiary explosives

A blasting agent is a compound that usually contains ammonium nitrate or black powder that will detonate due to shock or heat. It could contain an oxidizer or fuel that aids in blasting. It is an important accessory to explosives in the construction and mining industry.
Try: To find out more on blasting agents, visit Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) a section under the US Department of Labor.

Cast boosters

Cast boosters are very high-energy explosive equipment that initiate blasting agents. You will need a detonator to initiate them.
Try: Learn about cast boosters, their advantages and disadvantages at Explomo Technical Services Pte Ltd, a supplier of explosives and ammunition.

Detonators

To trigger explosive material, you will need a detonator. Different types of detonators are available in the market, including electric detonators, mechanical detonators and chemical detonators.
Try: You can get useful information on detonators at Knowledgerush.com, an online resource for information on various topics.

Blasting gelatin or gelignite

Gelignite is an explosive material invented by Alfred Nobel. It has a jelly-like mass that comes from mixing nitroglycerin and nitrocellulose. It has high energy but cannot ignite without a detonator, hence, it is safer than other explosives and easy to transport.
Try: Get more information on gelignite at StateUniversity.com, a website that has an encyclopedia on technical terms.

High explosives

High explosives are compounds that detonate at high rates and are very useful in mining and demolition activities. We can classify high explosives into primary explosives and secondary explosives; the former detonate rapidly following a mechanical shock and the latter are relatively less sensitive to heat and shock.
Try: Find out more on high explosives at The Ordnance Shop, an online resource on explosives.