Blast Breaker® — ANE Waste Demulsifier for Mining & Blasting Sites
Safe, compliant treatment for waste Ammonium Nitrate Emulsion (ANE). trusted by mining and blasting operations across Western Australia and Australia-wide.
Blast Breaker® is used across Australia's mining and resources sector — from the Pilbara and Goldfields in WA, to Queensland's Bowen Basin, the NT, and underground operations nationwide. Whether you're managing residual ANE in MPUs, truck washouts, or isotainers on remote sites, Blast Breaker® delivers reliable SSAN separation that keeps your operation compliant with state and federal explosives regulations and reduces disposal costs.
Blast Waste is Costly, Risky and Hard to Manage.
ANE remains a 5.1 oxidiser and retains Security Sensitive Ammonium Nitrate (SSAN) classification even when stored with water.
Blast Breaker® Changes That.
Our award-winning agent breaks down ANE mixtures, separating the phases so they can be treated, recycled, and compliantly removed.
The Results:
Reduced disposal costs
Lower compliance risks
Safer handling and transport of regulated waste streams
Proven Applications:
Trucks and isotainers containing residual ANE
Treatment of individual IBCs
Hopper and hose washouts
Blasting sites and explosive depots
Bulk ANE disposal projects
Underground blasting operations
Engineered for Every Blast
How Blast Breaker® Works
1. Breaking Down the Barrier
High-grade ammonium nitrate emulsion (ANE) is engineered to resist water. Blast Breaker® is a specialised demulsification agent that permanently breaks the emulsion and prevents it from re-forming.
2. Phase Separation
Once treated, the waste naturally separates into two distinct layers:
Hydrocarbon layer – fuel oil and hydrocarbons lifted from the solution.
Aqueous layer – water phase containing dissolved nitrate salts.
3. Recycling Pathways
Instead of being discarded as hazardous waste, both layers can be recycled:
Hydrocarbon layer → Sent to local refiners, where it’s processed into new lubricating oils.
Aqueous layer → Transformed into compost through local partners, returning nutrients to broad-acre pastures and supporting local agriculture.
4. Compliance and Safety
This process converts a regulated SSAN emulsion and washings into manageable, recyclable streams, reducing disposal costs, ensuring regulatory compliance, and making onsite storage & transport safer for every operator.
FAQs
Blast Breaker® is suitable for all ANE blends and formulations, including underground applications. Once treated, the separated wash water can be stored on site without an explosives storage licence, removing a major compliance burden. PCS supplies Blast Breaker® Australia-wide with full SDS documentation and application support.
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Blast Breaker® is used to break down and separate Ammonium Nitrate Emulsion (ANE) waste, making it safe for onsite storage, transport and disposal. It’s especially effective for washouts, residuals in MPUs, IBCs or isotainers, and bulk waste treatment.
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Yes. Blast Breaker® is engineered to process to a variety of blends, formulations, and suppliers.
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Because ANE contains ammonium nitrate and a hydrocarbon fuel source, it remains classified as a Security Sensitive Ammonium Nitrate, even when mixed with water. This makes disposal regulated and subject to strict controls.
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Absolutely. PCS supplies Blast Breaker® to clients across Australia and can assist with application advice, SDS documentation, and delivery to site.
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Absolutely. Blast Breaker® has been tested and proven in underground environments, maintaining compliance and efficiency.
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Once treated, product can be stored on site as wash water, removing the need for an explosives storage licence.
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To remove SSAN classification AN must be in a homogeneous solution with water. ANE washings will remain a separate layer without the addition of Blast Breaker® meaning that it can still be used as an explosives precursor.
