While many children across the country began their summer attending weekly getaways enjoying activities such as boating, swimming, hiking and perhaps horseback riding; there are several who started their summer with a bang-literally. The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSMT) hosted its fourth annual Mining and Explosives Camp. Proctored by SDSMT professor and longtime ISEE member Dr. Chuck Kliche, the weeklong camp presents attendees a unique opportunity to learn about explosives within the rich mining region in the Black Hills. ISEE member Bill Clements, Century Blasting Service, facilitated a range for various explosives' applications and was assisted by newly elected board member Bill Reisz, with Davey Bickford. Mr. Reisz provided expertise on electronic detonators and demonstrated shot initiation programming. Former SDSMT professor Shashi Kanth, director of international business at Nelson Brothers,was also present to assist.The three, along with Dr. Kliche, presented several shots ranging from blasting withANFO to detonating explosively formed projectiles. Throughout the week, the students also visited historic mining facilities and made a trip to the Powder River Basin in Wyoming. There, Cloud Peak Energy's Cordero Rojo Senior Drill and Blast Engineer, Brad Brown, who also is a member of the society, gave the campers a tour of the company's surface coal operation and demonstrated a blast.
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