Users warned mobile phone unsafe in explosive atmospheres
from OH&S
Britain's Health and Safety Executive posted an alert Dec. 9 tell suppliers and users of Expert XP-Ex-1 mobile phones that they are not safe for use in potentially explosive atmospheres because of an identified risk of possible ignition. German authorities first identified the problem and took steps to withdraw the phone from the German marketplace, according to HSE.  More
 

Miners dig deep with advances in mining automation
from Process & Control Engineering
Peter Corke is well known for his research in vision-based robot control, field robotics and wireless sensor networks. He is currently Professor of Robotics & Control at Queensland University of Technology.   More
 

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Method predicts size of fracking earthquakes
from Nature News
Small earthquakes are a recognized risk of hydraulic fracturing, or 'fracking,' a procedure in which companies unlock energy reserves by pumping millions of liters of water underground to fracture shale rock and release the natural gas trapped inside. Researchers now say that they can calculate the highest magnitude earthquake that such an operation could induce - though it won't determine the likelihood of a quake occurring.  More
 

Chinese artist embeds microchips in 'smart fireworks' for explosive art exhibit in Doha
from Beta News
At the Arab Museum of Modern Art in Doha, Qatar this week, Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang put on his largest "explosion event" of the last three years, utilizing microchip-controlled explosives to form incredible designs and patterns. The video we've embedded of the event is an impressive testament to how a volatile black powder explosion can be controlled and shaped by computer.   More
 

How the EPA linked "fracking" to contaminated well water
from Ars Technica
Hydraulic fracturing involves the injection of fluid at high pressure into a well, opening or widening fractures in the rock below that free up the flow of natural gas. Domestic natural gas production has been booming as a result, but opponents claim the technique contaminates drinking water, causing serious health effects.
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The need for aggregate puts the GTA between a rock and a hard place
from The Globe and Mail
Deep beneath vast fields that grow a dozen varieties of potatoes lies a valuable gray rock tinged with light browns and blues. The rock is hard, durable and dense, part of the 400-million-year-old Amabel Formation that once belonged to a warm, shallow sea.   More
 

TREAD CORPORATION TREAD Corporation, with headquarters and manufacturing facilities based in Roanoke, Virginia; and satellite offices in Australia, Chile and South Africa, is respected globally for being the innovative leader in providing bulk equipment trucks, storage bins, magazines, emulsion plants, aftermarket parts, technical assistance and support to the worldwide commercial explosives industry. MORE

Freeport woes prompt explosives maker to seek new clients
from The Jakarta Globe
Mining contractor Ancora Indonesia Resources is targeting as much as $100 million worth of new contracts next year to diversify its client base after experiencing a major setback from its sole client, Freeport Indonesia. "We've learned this year that we cannot rely on one client only," Ancora's president director Dharma Djojonegoro said.   More
 

Philippine mining industry: Boon or bane?
from ABS-CBN News
The mining industry leaders and anti-mining groups including the Save Palawan Movement faced off as the Senate Committees on Agriculture and Food, and Environment and Natural Resources opened an inquiry to discuss legislation that will affect the mining industry.   More
 

The salt miners who will keep Britain moving this Christmas
from Metro
The team of miners at Irish Salt Mining and Exploration use explosives and heavy machinery, which is assembled underground, in the mine under the coast in Carrickfergus, near Belfast, Ireland.   More
 

Wesfarmers puts Western Australia ammonium nitrate expansion on hold
from The Australian
Wesfarmers has delayed the start-up date for a planned $550 million expansion of its ammonium nitrate facilities in Western Australia despite booming demand for the key explosives ingredient.   More
 

Incitec Pivot reassures locals over nitrate plant expansion
from Australian Mining
Incitec Pivot has sought to reassure locals around its Newcastle ammonium nitrate plant as it seeks to expand into explosives manufacturing in the wake of the Kooragang Island leaks. In late October the company, which manufactures explosives through its subsidiary Dyno Noble, met with locals over its planned ammonium nitrate plant.   More
 

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