The Blast Report

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In this episode, we gave Joe Stobbe a call. Joe shares with Evan Thibaud his unique entrance into the explosives industry and shares the history behind water-resistant ANFO and cast blasting in the basin.

This episode is brought to you by Pneu Wave Consulting, where they bring innovation to the industry.

Their goal is bridging the gap between those who create technology and those who are in the field every day, looking for improvements in safety, productivity, and reduced environmental impacts. Their model is to help customers with training, audits, and blast design to get the job done right. They do this by joining your team, to achieve your goals. Contact them today at https://pneuwave.com/.

Mike Ballance tells us one last story. It's one of those blasts that we all hope never happens, but it's those bad blasts that tend to make a good story...

In this short episode, Mick Fritz and Mike Ballance talk about lugging a 35mm camera to the bench and how our ability to analyze blasts today has improved with new technologies.

Mike and Mick talk about the impact Electronic detonators had on the industry.

Mike Ballance shares one of his biggest challenges in his career and where he's at now.

Mike and Mick reminisce over the good old days and the rise of independent distributors. The days of small businesses and the differences in today's industry.

Mike Ballance shares stories with Mick Fritz and Evan Thibaud about his origins in the industry and how the booster business got primed!

You may be the best blaster on-site or know your rock more than anyone else, but taking a trip down the road to see how other blasters apply their knowledge to different rocks can be a humbling trip. In this episode, Evan Thibaud and Paul Sterk discuss different blasting practices they've seen and how variables such as stemming and sub-drilling can vary greatly depending on the rock.

Paul Sterk and Evan Thibaud talk about odd times when abandoned explosives have been found in the communities around blasting operations. They dive into some stories which could’ve ended terribly and how communication with local fire departments and training is needed.