BlastLite is a low density explosive developed by Dyno Nobel and has been in use at BHP Billiton Iron Ore's Mt Whaleback Operation since March 2004. The Mt Whaleback Operation utilises BlastLite because it offers an attractive alternative to ANFO in soft to medium strength rock types. Its use also reduces the amount of liquid fuel oil consumed and is well aligned with BHP Billiton's corporate Energy Excellence initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions._x000D_
This paper presents the: results of characterisation work completed on-site as a fourth year mining engineering thesis, and application and benefits of the product at Mt Whaleback._x000D_
One of the key features of low density products is that the detonation is non-ideal. That is, the explosive does not react fully in the detonation driving zone. This manifests itself in that the product is highly dependent on charge diameter and confinement conditions._x000D_
Dyno Nobel has access to the Vixen suite of detonation codes for characterising the ideal and non-ideal behaviour of explosives. The objectives of this work were to use the Vixen_i code to characterise the detonation performance of BlastLite, in order to understand the role of the bulking agent and to allow modelling of the explosive._x000D_
The detonation performance was established by detonating a series of unconfined charges at various diameters and measuring the velocity of detonation (VoD). The work program consisted of sourcing and preparing cardboard tubes of various diameters (80 mm to 305 mm). The tubes were loaded with explosive at the BHP Billiton Iron Ore Mt Whaleback test range and detonated one at a time._x000D_
Over the past three years BlastLite has been used in various applications across the site. Initial findings illustrate that shovel productivity from BlastLite shots was comparable to the baseline ANFO blasts. The study results were also backed with visual inspection and feedback from shovel operators._x000D_
A work program is currently in place to develop different blends of BlastLite and TITAN BlastLite to tailor the explosives to various blasting applications. The trials at Mt Whaleback are leading to future opportunities of BHP Billiton's satellite orebodies.