A 33-year-old Nevada man has been tossed in a prison cell for stealing explosives from a state mining site. Police have not determined what his motive was.
Julian Ricker was taken into custody on Aug. 3 after somebody he was living with informed authorities about his questionable new possessions. The Elko Bomb Squad was responsible for removing the goods from his home while he was away prior to an arrest once he had been located. Bail has been set at US$115,000.
He took the items from a project operated by his former employer: Small Mine Development (SMD).
Both SMD and Nevada Gold Mines (NGM) were notified about the occurrence. NGM is one of SMD’s primary customers.
The underground mining contractor also provides its services to companies like I-80 Gold Corp (TSX: IAU) at the Granite Creek project; Sabre Gold Mines Corp (TSX: SGLD) in Arizona; and Jervois Global Limited (TSX-V: JRV) (OTC: JRVMF) at its Idaho cobalt operations.
CRIME BEAT
A man was arrested in Elko after allegedly stealing explosives from a mine site.
https://t.co/FFZZwVSCT4— 2 News Nevada (@KTVN) August 6, 2024
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What is the most common mining explosive?
It turns out that dynamite is not the answer. It is actually an ammonium nitrate and fuel oil mixture (ANFO). This type of explosive is commonly used in the global mining industry for blasting and quarrying.
“ANFO is by far the most prevalent blasting agent used in mining,” the Colorado School of Mines says.
According to the Government of British Columbia, it accounts for 80 per cent of all explosives used in North America every year.
“ANFO pound for pound is as powerful as dynamite, less expensive per pound, less sensitive to initiation, and therefore safer to use,” the Illinois Department of Natural Resources described.
It requires a powerful charge to be detonated after it gets poured or pumped into drill holes.
Photo credit: Famesa Explosivos
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