This is what the world’s biggest open pit explosion looks like

Who doesn’t love an explosion?

For your Thursday viewing pleasure we have the world’s biggest open pit blast at BHP’s (ASX:BHP) Jimblebar iron ore mine in Western Australia back in 2017. Enjoy.

Too good not to repost: The world’s biggest open pit blast. Iron Ore. Australia. 11 million tonnes 6,410 blast holes, each with its own detonator, 51 Hectares. A couple of blown out shots in the middle that will make things difficult for the diggers. pic.twitter.com/HeuTwxgpyz

— Neil Ringdahl (@NeilRingdahl) April 20, 2022

If you’re wondering what blown out shots are, that’s when a blast goes off prematurely. Before your mind goes straight to the gutter, that’s when the fractured rock has nowhere to go. It then compacts the area almost into solid rock again – so not much fun for the diggers.