What is one function of explosive detonators in mining?

Detonators play a crucial role in the blasting process in mining operations. Their primary function is to initiate an explosion in explosives. This initiation is critical for successfully breaking rock, allowing for the extraction of minerals in a safe and controlled manner. Detonators can be electric, non-electric, or shock tube types, and they are designed to achieve precise timing and coordination in the sequence of blast operations. This timing is essential for maximizing fragmentation and minimizing unwanted effects such as ground vibrations and fly rock.

While measuring the strength of explosives and analyzing geological formations can be important aspects of mining, these functions are not roles that detonators perform. Similarly, transporting explosives safely is a matter of handling and logistical procedures, which differs significantly from the detonative function of the detonator itself. Therefore, the initiation of an explosion is indeed the fundamental and defining function of explosive detonators in the mining industry.