Sulphide ore/explosives exothermic reactions

"Sulphide ores under certain circumstances will react with explosives to generate an autocatalytic chemical reaction. This reaction is exothermic and results in the production of large volumes of poisonous gases and creates an unsafe, unstable condition with the possibility of a low energy deflagration or even a detonation of the loaded hole. This paper outlines the conditions that need to exist for such a reaction to take place and the precautions necessary to minimize or eliminate the problem in areas of reactive ore. A special case study involving a northern Ontario mine will be detailed.IntroductionOne of North America's leading underground gold producer's processes over 6500 tonnes of ore per day from an orebody containing high concentrations of sulphides. After six years of problem free operation, the mine experienced two serious reactions in two months between the sulphides and AMEX II, the ammonium nitrate and fuel oil explosive it uses."