Drill & Blast Stemming Products and Equipment

Rainstorm is a National Distributor of the STEMGEL™ range of hydrogel stemming products by Shockwave Gel Technologies.

Shockwave’s range of unique stemming products and custom designed application equipment bring new and advanced technology to the entire drill & blast industry across the mining, civil, military and other sectors. 

Each product in the range is designed and manufactured in Western Australia to bring improved performance and control, cost reductions and increased safety to drill & blast applications across the world.

Powerful New Technology

STEMGEL™ is a unique formula comprising a concentrated liquid reagent and specialty polymer blend which, when added to water, invert to form a solid hydrogel with a large attenuation coefficient.

STEMGEL™ is loaded easily and efficiently, hose in hose with water, into the blast hole using powered dose pump applicators. Set in place as a stem deck coupled to the explosive compound, the STEMGEL™  deck attenuates the pressure shockwave upon initiation of the blast. 

The energy is compressed and reflected back into the formation, minimising energy loss and causing increased rock fragmentation. Gas expression is increased in the rock layers and STEMGEL™  is ejected as water vapour, with lower air overpressure, noise and dust.

 

Focus on Safety and the Environment

The entire range of Shockwave stemming products is eco-friendly, non-toxic and safe for both operators and the natural environment in which they are used.

Our specialised dosing equipment is designed to make use of our products fast and simple in all applications and our automated dosing machinery can limit or even eliminate the need for personnel on the blast floor.

Advantages of stemming with STEMGEL™

  • Improved safety on the blast bench.
  • Substantially more effective rock breakage and microfracturing.
  • Reduction in oversize material.
  • Fast and simple loading.
  • Reduced dust, noise and fume.
  • Protection of detonation cord and easy misfire fixing.
  • Compatibility with all explosives.
  • Effective blast control in both open cut and underground drilling situations.
  • Solution to hole water issues.
  • Non toxic and environmentally safe.

Challenges solved by STEMGEL™

  • Poor blast control.
  • Inconsistent stemming
  • High dust, noise and fume emissions.
  • Ineffective and unsafe underground stemming.
  • Poor fragmentation.
  • Down hole water.

 

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STEMGEL™ Actions
STEMGEL™ reflects or attenuates 98% of the pressure wave (Pw) generated by the detonation of explosives. The Pw is reflected into the most ridged surface i.e. surrounding rock, to increase shattering during the initial moments of explosion.
The explosive energy can be enhanced by the more controlled containment of expanding gases. STEMGEL™ density can be adjusted to increase the total mass by manipulating the addition of dissolved and / or undissolved solids. This can further increase blasting performance.

 

Multiple Solutions from one new Technology

STEMGEL™ LRC

Open cut stemming solution.

An easy and safe-to-load concentrated liquid reagent with multiple applications for down hole and above hole stemming in the Open Cut Mining and Civil industries. Able to completely replace aggregate stem, STEMGEL™ LRC generates a consistently controlled and superior blast result in less time, at a lower cost and with numerous operational efficiencies. View the STEMGEL™ data sheet left.

STEMGEL™ SUB T

Underground stemming solution.

An easy and safe-to-load concentrated liquid reagent that brings unprecedented control to horizontal and vertical up-hole blasting Underground. Effective for both production and pre-stress blasting, STEMGEL™ SUB T is a game-changer for Underground blast planning, effectiveness and most importantly, safety. View the SUB T data sheet left.

DHDA™ Down Hole Dewatering Agent

Open cut wet and hot hole solution.

DHDA™ is an easy and safe, manually loaded concentrated granular reagent that effectively and instantly reacts with down hole water to form a dense gel stemming deck, ensuring the hole is ready and safe to load with explosive. View the DHDA™ data sheet left.

BLASTMATT™

Pre-Packaged STEMGEL™ Mat

The BLASTMATT™ is a 250m x 40mm panel that can be cut to size for each application. The mat is pre-filled with STEMGEL™ concentrate and activated by adding water to form a portable, stabilised hydrogel stemming pad. Designed for use in open air rock breaking and ideal for dampening air blast and fly rock as well as multiple military applications.

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