While China’s industrial sector crashes, one corner is booming. Oddly enough, it’s probably bad news for participants.

Fixed-asset investment in mining increased 27.4% from a year earlier in July, continuing an extraordinary run this year that puts growth at the fastest pace in a decade. One commodity is likely to have dominated: Investments in mining and preparing coal have been growing at double-digit rates so far this year, in contrast to contractions in the other major mined commodity, ferrous metals.

Mining and explosives engineering researchers at Missouri S&T began testing concrete seals used to close coal mine tunnels this month by loading a cannon with projectiles, shooting them at the seals and testing their impact. The research could help to improve the design of seals and keep miners safe. Dr. Kyle Perry, Missouri S&T associate professor of mining and nuclear engineering, is the lead researcher on the project. Working with him is Ethan Steward, a master’s student in explosives engineering from Chelsea, South Dakota. Steward and Perry spent about five months building the 8-foot cannon they’re using in the study.

Showcase your organization's latest products, services and technology at the world's largest conference on explosives engineering. Public exhibit booth registration for the 46th Annual Conference on Explosives & Blasting is now open.

 

This is your organization's chance to get its name out in front of 1,600 key decision makers, industry experts, government regulators and field blasters. To purchase booth space, visit the conference section of our website. Be sure to reserve your space soon because the exhibit hall will sell out quickly.

 

The 46th Annual Conference on Explosives & Blasting Technique will be from Jan. 26-29, 2020, at the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colo. Sponsorships are available for events and amenities. Call (440) 349-4400 or email isee@isee.org for more information.

Do you have a knack for photography and some great shots of a recent job you’d like to share? Take your camera on your next job site and upload your best pictures. Qualifying entries will be displayed through ISEE’s social media channels and on-screen at the annual conference in Denver.

 

Voting will be open to all. The Best of Show winner will receive a free registration to the 47th annual conference. Winners will be announced at the annual conference, on social media, and in the Journal of Explosives Engineering.

 

Visit the photo contest page today to see all the categories and enter your pictures.

The ISEE Nominating Committee is seeking nominations of candidates for the ISEE Board of Directors fall 2019 election. Candidates must be qualified as members of the society who have demonstrated leadership and active participation in the society and in the explosives industry.

 

Candidates who are elected to the board will take office at the end of the Annual Membership Meeting that will be held at the 2020 Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique.

 

Awards
Nominate a coworker or colleague who has made an exceptional contribution to the fields of explosives or drilling for one of the International Society of Explosives Engineers most prestigious awards. There are three awards the ISEE is accepting nominations for:

 

Blaster’s Leadership Award: Presented to those who exemplify the blaster in the field and have given generously of time and talents in helping fellow blasters.

 

Driller’s Leadership Award: The award recognizes a drill operator, manager or drill expert who has given an extraordinary amount of time and knowledge to help fellow drillers and blasters with application, engineering or field work.

 

Distinguished Service Award: An award of merit given to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the field of explosives engineering.