I would like to know if the following products or methods are used in
the USA mining industry:
* Lining of blast holes prior to loading
* air decking or decking of blastholes
In particular would like to find out what products are used, where
they are sourced, what they cost and volumes of products used.

---

Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 10 May 2003 05:45 PDT

Bestshot,

From a preliminary look, I can tell you the following:

--air decking is used extensively, and there are a variety of products
on the market.  I can provide source and price information, but
overall market statistics (total number of products/sales per year) do
not seem to be available.

--there IS market information on overall explosives use, available on
a state by state and industry by industry basis.

--there's not much indication that lining blast holes is used very
much in the domestic (US) industry -- most blasters just seem to do
wet blasting when necessary.  Do you have reason to believe otherwise?

On the presumption that market data simply may not be available, can
you let me (and other researchers as well) know how you would like us
to proceed.  Would an answer that focused on decking practices,
products, sources, etc. (without a lot of information on overall
markets, or lining) be suitable?

Thanks.

---

Clarification of Question by bestshot-ga on 10 May 2003 16:52 PDT

I have a good understanding of how decking is carried out and what
products are used to perform this practice. I also have an idea where
some of these prouducts can be sourced. So this information is not
required.

I am trying to find out the current volumes of these decking products
and blast hole lining products. My immediate interest is the mid west
area of the US. From what you are indicating, there is little readily
available info and I may need to engage someone to interview blasting
providers / users in this area.

Should however you ara able to get this information I would be willing
to pay for the time taken to research and acquire the information.