Blasting agent

A method of scavenging NOx during an induction phase of a nitrate-based explosive of a blasting agent used in elevated temperature or reactive ground, the method comprising the steps of:

• adding the nitrate-based explosive or causing the nitrate-based explosive to be added to the elevated temperature or reactive ground in an amount in the range of from 65 wt % to 94 wt % of the blasting agent,
• adding a hydrophobised NOx scavenger to an oil phase of the nitrate-based explosive in an amount of 1 wt % to 15 wt % of the blasting agent;
• and
• allowing the NOx scavenger to scavenge NOx species formed in the oil phase and during the induction phase in the explosive in the elevated temperature or reactive ground prior to detonation in order to remove NOx as a catalyst or reagent for any subsequent chemical reaction.