Plane failures in rock slopes occur when a geological discontinuity strikes parallel or nearly parallel to the slope face and dips at an angle greater than the angle of internal friction. Unlike a wedge failure only a single sliding joint is involved.

The breaking of rocks or other materials by firing charges that have been placed against them and that have been confined by mud or clay.

Of material – that which will deform before breaking.

A security assessment in respect of a person, issued by Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation (ASIO). This is an ongoing check that is updated if there is a change in status.

Gases generated by the detonation of explosives during blasting.

A location that could be the source of an explosion.

Powder Factor is generally the kg of explosives loaded divided by the cubic metres or tonnes of rock broken.

PF = Explosives (kg) / Rock Volume (m³)

Powder factor can be calculated for a range of scenarios as follows:

There is also a Target Powder Factor defined. This is generally derived from the planning process based on budget constraints.

Note that some sites use kg/tonne instead of kg/m³.

A method of controlled blasting in which the line holes are fired prior to the main charge to create a crack to prevent disturbance beyond the final batter line.

Precursor - A material consisting of fuels and oxidisers that are mixed and where the material is intended to be used exclusively in the production of an explosive. In order for such substances to be categorised as a precursor, evidence shall be produced demonstrating that the substance cannot cook-off leading to a mass violent reaction.

An example of an explosives precursor is ungassed emulsion.

As precursors can be shown not to detonate they are generally classed as 5.1 Oxidising Agents and not as a 1.1D explosive.

To change a 5.1 precursor into an 1.1D explosive a sensitiser must be added. This is generally in the form of nitrogen bubbles (gassing) which will reduce the density to below 1.3 g/cc.

An explosive, sensitive to spark, flame, impact or friction, used in a detonator to initiate the explosion.