To help the mining, cement and construction sectors, the government on Thursday said no licence under the Industries (Development & Regulation) Act, 1951 would be necessary for mine owners to manufacture ammonium nitrate fuel oil (ANFO) explosives.
“This will help mine owners using ANFO to continue mining operations and will help the development of cement industry as well as the construction sector,” the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) said in a statement.
The DIPP had received representations from stakeholders about hardship faced by them in getting licence under the provisions of IDR Act.
ANFO manufacturers were required to take licence for possession and use of blasting accessories — booster, safety fuse, detonating fuse and detonators under Explosive Rules, 2008 for which a firm has to obtain No Objection Certificate from district authorities and also from Director General of Mines Safety.
Monthly returns are filed by the licence holders under the Explosive Rules to district authorities as well as Petroleum & Explosives Safety Organization.
ANFO explosive is prepared by mixing Ammonium Nitrate with fuel oil in an aluminium or wooden tray with hand mixing and immediately charging into the bore holes in the adjacent quarry or mines for blasting.
No packaging, storage, sale or transportation of ANFO is involved in the conventional manufacturing and using process.
The licencees prepare ANFO for their own use and on the spot captive consumption for blasting purposes in metalliferous mines/quarries, the statement said.
