Many industrial businesses require some form of explosive or detonation materials to access resources necessary for production and continued growth. In order to access them without causing any unnecessary external damage, these businesses use an ANFO explosive with a short blast radius. In combination with a safety fuse, these explosives are safe to use and cause little external damage to areas surrounding the blast radius.
What Is an ANFO?
An ANFO explosive is made by combining porous ammonium nitrate pellets with fuel oil. It is a dry explosive powder that can be used with nitroglycerine, fuel oils, and other accelerants to create a depth charge with a low damage rate. Its oxidation capabilities create a more powerful blast, balancing the oxygen to adjust the explosion’s sensitivity. Its zero water resistance makes it suitable for use underground.
An Industrial Necessity
Different industries use the ANFO explosive to obtain valuable resources for production. Mining companies prefer these kinds of explosives for their subterranean uses and high water resistance. They can be detonated underground to reach mineral, coal, and ore deposits for extraction. In some cases, they will be used to extract the deposits themselves. The oil and gas industries use explosives to test the seismic properties of a region before drilling.
Other Uses
In addition to their industrial uses, ANFO explosives are regularly detonated as part of construction work. Teams set off low-grade explosives to reach and lay down pipelines and redo roads before repaving. In addition to preparing land for construction, explosives create building supplies. Construction companies will detonate large mineral deposits to create and obtain shale and other rocks used for construction. These deposits can later be refined and used to build a structure or for outdoor excavation.
ANFO explosives are a safe method of detonation that can be controlled based on size and scope. They can be used on the surface in combination with an accelerant or set underground to reach objects below the surface. When used responsibly, these explosives have many valuable applications that can benefit companies looking to detonate and construct new areas while minimizing overall damage.