In this latest Message from the President edition, Alastair Torrance, ISEE Board of Directors President, discusses all the considerations that went in to the cancellation of the 47th Annual Conference on Explosives & Blasting Technique.
Good news! If you wanted to submit an abstract for a chance to present at the 47th Annual Conference on Explosives & Blasting Technique, but weren’t able to meet the deadline, the call for papers has been extended to Friday, June 12.
Papers addressing all explosives and blasting related topics will be considered. Accepted papers will be scheduled for one of the technical sessions or the Blasters Forum, a multimedia poster event with one-on-one interaction between the author and audience.
What’s new this Year
In previous years, students had separate calls for papers and separate deadlines. To streamline the submission process, this will be the only call for papers this year for both industry professionals and students. If you would like to submit an abstract, but still feel you might not be able to meet the new deadlines because of a project put on temporary hold, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
About the Conference
The Annual Conference on Explosives & Blasting Technique is the largest gathering of its kind involving field blasters, manufacturers of explosives-related products, educators and researchers. The 47th Annual Conference on Explosives & Blasting Technique will be held Feb. 7-10, 2021, at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Fla.
Presented papers will be published in the proceedings of the conference and at onemine.org, which is home to more than 124,000 articles, technical papers, books in the explosives, mining, minerals and tunneling industries from ISEE, SME, NIOSH, AusIMM, CIM, SAIMM, TMS, IMPC, DFI and IIMP.
COVID-19 ISEE Office Update
As countries, states, and provinces start to contemplate lifting the restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the state of Ohio has announced their reopening strategy which takes on responsible first steps for getting Ohio back to business. For many businesses in Ohio, the staggered reopening of commerce beginning May 4 (manufacturing, distribution, construction and general offices) through May 12 (consumer, retail and services) is a relief but comes with employers needing to establish required safety protocols. In addition, Ohio will be extending its stay-at-home order and highly recommends that those working remotely, should continue doing so.
For everyone’s safety, ISEE staff will continue to work remotely from their homes and will continue to do so until the situation improves. During this time, bookstore orders and all correspondences sent via regular mail will be responded to as quickly as possible, while keeping staff safe.
Blasting Industry Competition
In the spirit of ISEE’s Call for Papers due by May 29, 2020, for the 47th Annual Conference, whereby authors submit abstracts covering a recent breakthrough on a project, we would like to bring your attention to an industry competition. Newcrest, one of the world’s largest gold mining companies, with operations in Asia Pacific and Canada, is looking to improve blasting performance in high temperature conditions. Please go to the following link to learn more about the competition:
https://unearthed.solutions/u/competitions/beat-the-heat
As always, please keep yourself, your families and your co-workers safe during these challenging times.
All the best,
Winston Forde
Executive Director, ISEE
National Volunteer Week
First and foremost, there are no words to describe what our world has been through over the last several weeks. The coronavirus / COVID-19 global pandemic has significantly altered and impacted our communities. Our hearts are with you and all members near and far who’ve been impacted.
This week is National Volunteer Week which runs from April 19 – 25, 2020. We would like to take this opportunity to recognize the impact of volunteer service and the power of volunteers to tackle society’s greatest challenges, to build stronger communities and be a force that transforms the world. Many of you are ISEE members and we are grateful for your contributions.
Today, as people strive to lead lives that reflect their values, the expression of civic life has evolved. Whether online, at the office, or the local food bank; whether with a vote, a voice, or a wallet – doing good comes in many forms, and we recognize and celebrate them all.
ISEE had a tremendous support by many volunteers at its 46th Annual Conference in Denver. As the ISEE staff works diligently planning for the 47th Annual Conference to be held February 7 – 10, 2021, at the Caribe Royale Hotel in Orlando, Fla., we once again look forward to your support.
Many of us are fortunate that the mining industry is considered essential. However, in these trying times, we would also like to bring your attention to ISEE’s online training program – Level 1 Practical Blasting Fundamentals. If you’re interested in finding out more, please send us an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Again, our sincerest “thank you” for supporting the International Society of Explosives Engineers. Please keep yourself, your families and your co-workers safe during these challenging times.
All the best,
J. Winston Forde
Executive Director, ISEE
Did you have a recent breakthrough on a project? Submit your findings for a chance to present your work at the world’s largest conference on explosives engineering.
Abstracts for the 47th Annual Conference on Explosives & Blasting Technique, to be held Feb. 7-10, 2021, at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Fla., are now being accepted by the International Society of Explosives Engineers.
Papers addressing all explosives and blasting related topics will be considered. Accepted papers will be scheduled for one of the technical sessions or the Blasters Forum, a multimedia poster event with one-on-one interaction between the author and the audience.
Abstracts of approximately 200-400 words are due by May 29, 2020. Please contact us if you do not receive confirmation within two weeks of submitting your abstract. Chapter sponsored abstracts/papers must be submitted by the deadline.
What’s new this Year
In previous years, students had separate calls for papers and separate deadlines. To streamline the submission process, this will be the only call for papers this year for both industry professionals and students.
COVID-19 and Deadlines
Because of COVID-19, deadlines throughout the entire paper submission process have already been extended. Check the abstract submission site for all the details. If you would like to submit an abstract, but feel you might not be able to meet the paper deadlines because of a project put on temporary hold, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
About the Conference
The Annual Conference on Explosives & Blasting Technique is the largest gathering of its kind involving field blasters, manufacturers of explosives-related products, educators and researchers. The conference provides a forum for the discussion of practical and technical information as well as presentation of the latest discoveries in the commercial explosives industry worldwide. ISEE members and non-members are invited to submit ideas for papers to be presented at the conference.
Presented papers will be published in the proceedings of the conference and at onemine.org, which is home to more than 124,000 articles, technical papers, books in the explosives, mining, minerals and tunneling industries from ISEE, SME, NIOSH, AusIMM, CIM, SAIMM, TMS, IMPC, DFI and IIMP.