The Annual Conference was a BLAST!  Over 125 exhibitors and close to 1,600 people joined us from over 50 different countries at the world’s largest conference on explosives and blastique at the Grand Hyatt Riverwalk Hotel in San Antonio, TX.

 

The conference schedule was packed full of technical sessions, poster sessions, workshops, socials, fun spousal events and MORE. We are already working on ideas to make the 50th Anniversary an even greater experience.

With almost 300 attendees, Blasters’ training seminar Saturday, February 4th, proved to be a HUGE success.

 

The Blasters training seminar is designed specifically for the blaster in the field. In the morning, attendees learned about explosives selection, pre-split techniques and new technologies to make blasting more effective and safer.

 

New to this years’ format, blasters chose from four workshops offered on the following topics: seismograph use, paperwork required to transport explosives, flyrock prevention techniques and blasting calculations. Many state regulators approved the program for eight training credit hours.

It was a great night at 1902 Night Club for the Emerging Professionals Social!

 

Located downtown in the historic St. Paul Square District, 1902 Nightclub combines the city's rich history with a modern twist.

 

Originally built in 1902 as a train station, the building showcases a unique aesthetic and has been greatly taken care of to preserve the pristine architecture and create a space that redefines Texas nightlife.

The All Clear Cheers & Beers Bash was a great celebration to end one of ISEE’s most successful conferences held! Attendees wore cowboy hats and boots and line-danced the night away to their favorite country tunes. Attendees enjoyed whiskey tasting, music, dancing, and south Texas food.

The International Reception was an amazing night, bringing together attendees from over 50 different countries around the world. Top countries attending the confeence included: United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Indonesia, Sweden, Germany, and Chile.

On Sunday, attendees took part in a presentation on Measure While Drilling. John Vynne gave a fascinating review of the history of the products and where the technology is heading next.

Attendees piled in to hear latest news, updates, and industry development during a well-received 2-hour panel session.  Speakers pictured from Left to Right are: Kenneth Eltschlager, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement; Clark Mica, President & CEO of Institute of the Makers of Explosives; and Bill O’Brien, ATF Explosives Industry Programs Branch.

Throughout the conference, attendees packed the technical sessions and poster sessions.

 

ISEE updated the technical session times to allow for a total of 20 minute presentation and question and answer periods enabling a packed and fast-paced schedule.  The Poster Session highlighted 20 papers where attendees could interact with speakers for longer and deeper discussions.

Congratulations to Ron Gilbert, who's photo “Coal Fired Boiler Building, Boardman, Oregon” won both the People’s Choice Award and Best of Show. Winning photo displayed to the right.

Project Description: Coal Fired Boilers, PGE Power Station, Boardman, Oregon fell Spetember 15th 2022. This steel structure was engineered, prepared, loaded with AES Y230 LSC, NG dynamite kicker charges, det cord and Orica Unitronic 600 electronic detonators. Only because this structure was in an asset protection - less - location, we were fortunate not to apply additional protective curtains. Typically, exterior perimeter curtains made of geofabrick and chain fencing obscure/blind a clean, clear digital capture. This "openness" allowed for visually capturing, on digital video, from several vantage points. This very rare digital video frame photo capture shows and confirms the high degree of electronic 0ms firing accuracy prior to the next firing delay echelon. It proves the advantages of electronic dets v/s commercial conventional pyrotechnic delays.

 

This conference could not happen without the companies and individuals who exhibited, sponsored, and authored papers and posters for the conference.  In addition, we thank everyone who attended the 2023 ISEE Annual Conference on Explosives and Blastique.  We extend a special thank you to the ISEE Executive Committee, Board of Directors, Conference Advisory Committee, and Conference Planning Committee for an amazing experience.

 

 

Membership electronic renewal notices have been sent! If you did not receive your annual renewal, please contact Sara Bustard, Membership Director at isee@isee.org and we will get your renewal notification out immediately.
 
Please make sure to pay your dues by Friday, March 31st.

 

 

We're excited to announce the SEE Education Foundation Scholarship Program opens February 28th 2023!

 

The SEE Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization created in 1996 to serve the long-term education interests of the explosives industry through the development of education and training materials, championing the inclusion of explosives instruction in engineering curricula and awarding scholarships to eligible students. The SEE Foundation Scholarship Program will be awarding up to $90,000 this year.

To learn more about the SEE Education Foundation and eligibility requirements for the SEE scholarship program, please visit our website.

 

The PA Drilling & Blasting Conference planning committee is accepting presentation proposals for the conference, which will be held November 16-17, 2023. If you have a proposal for a relevant presentation, particularly a case study, please submit a title and one-page abstract using the online submission form, or by emailing your abstract to Rachel Conaway at RLA7@psu.edu by March 14. 

 

You will be notified of the status of your proposed presentation by April 1.

Conference website: https://blasting.outreach.psu.edu/

SME
MineExchange
February 26 - March 1, 2023
Denver, CO

 

ConExpo-Conn/AGG
March 14 - 18, 2023
Las Vegas, NV
www.conexpoconagg.com

 

Western Canada Chapter’s Annual General Meeting
March 30 - April 02, 2023
Coast Kamloops Hotel & Conference Center
Kamloops, BC Canada
www.iseewest.org

 

SME Minnesota Section Conference
April 17 - 19, 2023
Virginia, MN
www.smenet.org

 

34th Annual Best in the West
April 19 - 21, 2023
Spearfish Holiday Inn & Convention Center
Spearfish, SD