EMULSION EXPLOSIVE

A method of making an explosive in the form of an emulsion comprising a discontinuous phase which includes an oxidising salt, and a continuous phase which includes a fuel and which is immiscible with the discontinuous phase, the method comprising dispersing an aqueous solution of an oxidising salt, such as ammonium nitrate and/or sodium nitrate, containing an amine, such as ethylene diamine or diethylene triamine, dispersed therein into a continuous phase which includes a fuel, such as a paraffinic hydrocarbon oil, and which has a long chain carboxylic acid, such as oleic acid, and/or the halide of a long chain carboxylic acid, such as oleic acid chloride, dispersed therein, thereby to form an emulsion, the amine reacting with the acid and/or acid halide to form one or more reaction products which act to stabilize the emulsion.