Blasting Solutions
Hot and reactive ground risk reduction
Minimise risk and improve safety in reactive environments.
Proven solutions to manage complex ground chemistry and elevated temperatures.
Proven solutions to manage complex ground chemistry and elevated temperatures.
Hot and reactive ground presents serious safety and operational challenges due to the chemical interaction between sulphide minerals and ammonium nitrate.
Orica’s solutions are designed to manage ground that is hot, reactive, or a combination of both, by helping sites reduce risk, maintain productivity and meet compliance requirements.
Our approach combines tailored explosive formulations, expert technical support and a proven framework to ensure safe and reliable blasting in even the most complex conditions. Our consultation process begins with identifying hazards, followed by tailored blast designs, product selection and operational controls.
This framework mirrors our industry-leading fume and nitrate risk reduction frameworks, integrating technical solutions, training and best practices to reduce environmental and safety risks. By combining field data, expert support and a specialised product range, we help customers improve safety, maintain productivity and meet regulatory requirements in high-risk environments.
Product benefits
Product benefits
Improve safety
Operational efficiency and performance
Mine flexibility and scheduling
Maximise resource recovery
Sustainability and Reduced Footprint
Social license to operate
Features and benefits
Features and benefits
Protecting people and assets in challenging ground conditions
Our solutions for hot and reactive ground help mitigate serious safety risks by:
- Reducing the likelihood of premature detonation or thermal runaway
- Managing reactive chemistry between sulphides and ammonium nitrate
- Supporting safe loading practices in elevated temperature conditions
- Enhancing site safety protocols and emergency preparedness
Industries
Industries
Iron ore
Quarrying
Surface coal
Surface metal
Underground mining
Hole conditions
Hole conditions
Dewatered
Dry
Hard rock
Hot and/or reactive ground
Jointed ground
Very abrasive rock
Wet
Further insights
Further insights
What is reactive ground? Reactive ground contains sulphide minerals that can chemically react with ammonium nitrate, potentially causing heat build-up and explosive decomposition.
What is hot ground? Hot ground refers to blastholes or rock that have elevated temperatures, often due to natural oxidation of sulphides or geothermal activity.
Can ground be both hot and reactive? Yes. Combination ground presents the highest risk, where elevated temperatures and reactive chemistry can accelerate dangerous reactions.
How does Orica manage these risks? We offer tailored explosive formulations, technical audits, and a proven framework to safely manage hot, reactive or combination ground.
Is this solution suitable for underground mining? Yes. Our approach is designed for both surface and underground operations, with products and support adaptable to site-specific conditions.
Our industry solutions
Solution
Hot and / or Reactive Ground
Solution
Hot and / or Reactive Ground
Solution
Hot and/or reactive ground
Contact us
Contact us
Whether you need support or simply want to learn more, reach out to our team. We’re here to help.
Orica Limited
1 Nicholson Street
East Melbourne
Victoria 3002 Australia
Postal address
GPO Box 4311
Melbourne, VIC 3001
Phone (Australia)
1300 555 175
Phone (International)
+61 3 9665 7111