WorldWide Drilling Resource

30 APRIL 2014 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® The Blasting Agent by William O’Brien ATF Explosives Industry Liaison Over the past few years, ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives) has issued several pam- phlets to help federal explosives licensees and permittees, as well as other persons who store explosive materials, with prop- er storage and recordkeeping proce- dures. These Web publications include information on topics such as explosives magazine construction; inventory require- ments; using commercial records or record books; limited permittee transaction re- porting; distribution of surplus materials; and manufacturing for one’s own use, etc. The following publications are avail- able at www.atf.gov/content/library/ arson-explosives-publications 0 ATF P 5400.17, Explosives Magazine Construction Requirements 0 ATF P 5400.18, Daily Summary of Magazine Transactions (DSMT) 0 ATF P 5400.19, Recordkeeping Requ i r emen t s f o r Exp l os i ve Material Manufacturers 0 ATF P 5400.20, Recordkeeping Requi rements for Explosives Permittees and Limited Permittees 0 ATF P 5400.21, Recordkeeping Requ i r emen t s f o r Exp l os i ve Material Importers 0 ATF P 5400.22, Recordkeeping Requ i remen t s f or Dea l er s o f Explosive Materials This Web site also contains links to ATF P 5400.16, Voluntary Steps to Prepare for a Pending Natural Disaster and ATF P 5400.23, Compl iance Guidel ines for Federal Explosives Licensees and Permittees . These pub- lications are intended as aids for com- pliance with statutory and regulatory requirements - not as replacements. The federal explosives law, Title 18, United States Code, Chapter 40, pro- vides explosive materials statutory requirements and implementing regu- lations at 27 CFR, Part 555, provides specific regulatory requirements. Bill admin@ worldwidedrillingresource.com My Journey into Mining Part 1 by Evan Thibaud, Mining Engineer Editor’s Note: Nearly two years ago, I met a young man who was attending college at the Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) studying mining engineering. He grad- uated earlier this year and I asked if he would share his experience with our readers and he graciously agreed. Here is Evan’s story: I remember growing up watching guys in the neighborhood light up the sky during 4th of July block parties. I was fas- cinated with fireworks and the power behind them. As a student in high school, I took a survey to determine what I should study in college. I answered 50 questions, and it said I should be a lawyer. It didn’t take one second before I ruled that out, and I am glad I did. A few years later, I attended a career day set up at my high school. It was a great day because many professionals from different industries came to talk and answer questions about their professions. Although there weren’t any explosives engineers, there was one man who told us we should pick something we really like to do and make it our goal to find a career doing it. He asked people what they liked to do and when he asked me, I said, “I like to blow stuff up!” which made everyone laugh, but once everyone quiet- ed down, he told me to do just that. A year later, I read an article in the newspaper about a camp offered at a school I had never heard of. This school offered an explosives summer camp. Dr. Paul Worsey, who is in charge of the ex- plosives program at Missouri S&T, hosts a weeklong camp where all you do is blow stuff up! I told my mom I had to go, and once I had enough money to sign up, I was on my way. I was instantly welcomed by the pro- fessors and staff in the mining depart- ment. I originally wanted to do demolition and fireworks, but they described how the demolition industry is an extremely hard industry to enter and fireworks are more of a hobby than a full-time job. I didn’t real- ize 95% of explosives in the U.S. are used in the mining industry. They advised me entering the mining engineering program would be the best opportunity to get an explosives job. So, I decided to enter engineering school to study a subject I knew nothing about - mining. Neither my family nor anyone I knew had any clue what mining is like today. It was a tough decision to attend Missouri S&T. I was from Chattanooga, Tennessee, which was ten hours and one large out-of-state tuition away from Rolla, Missouri. There were several scholarships available through the financial aid depart- ment, so while most were taking it easy their senior year, I was working hard to make sure my grades were high enough to receive one of those scholarships. Once I reached my financial goal, I made the move to Missouri. I was very nervous because I was going to a place where I didn’t know a soul. The school and the mining depart- ment encourage campus involvement so I decided to join Kappa Alpha Order, a fraternity on campus. I moved in with a bunch of different guys and I did not know what to expect. My roommate was a junior in the mining department and he, along with the other mining guys, pushed me to get involved in department organizations. The mining department has six major extracurricular organizations including the first and largest student chapter of ISEE (International Society of Explosives Engineers); SME (Society of Mining and Metallurgy); S&TMine Rescue Team; S&T Mucking Team; a group promoting min- ing education called Women in Mining; and NSSGA (National Sand Stone and Gravel Association). There are additional honor societies and activities within the earth sciences departments as well. The story continues next month!