Explosive composition with bubble enhancer

A process for the preparation of a gas bubble sensitized emulsion explosive composition comprising a discontinuous aqueous phase comprising at least one oxygen-releasing salt, a continuous water-immiscibile organic phase, a discontinous gaseous phase, a water-in-oil emulsifying agent, and at least one agent capable of facilitating the production of gas bubbles in the presence of said water-immiscible organic phase, which process comprises:

• (a) dissolving said oxygen-releasing salts in water at a temperature above the fudge point of the salt solution, preferably at a temperature in the range from 25 to 110.degree. C., to give an aqueous salt solution;
• (b) combining said aqueous salt solution, said water-immiscible organic phase, said water-in-oil emulsifying agent, and optionally said agent capable of facilitating the production of gas bubbles in the presence of said water-immiscible organic phase with rapid mixing to form a water-in-oil emulsion;
• (c) mixing until the emulsion is uniform;
• (d) mixing into said emulsion an agent capable of in situ generation of gas bubbles by chemical means and, if not already present, said agent capable of facilitating the production of gas bubbles in the presence of said water-immiscible organic phase;
• and
• (e) optionally mixing into said emulsion any solid ingredients.