CONFIDENTIAL
- 5
and other blasting sites as a suitable replacement for dynamite. Indeed with a slight change in loading technique the performance of TOVEX 800 can be said to be better than dynamite of comparable strength.
15.
Test firings of the 1 in. dia. TOVEX 200 in full face hard rock twinol conditions using the same drilling pattern as for dynamite have produced excellent results. Considerable quantities of this explosive have also been used on M.T.R. contracts for shaft sinking, ditch excavation and tunnelling. The company currently constructing the Aberdeen Tunnel has contracted to use TOVEX exclusively for all blasting in the tunnels. It can be accepted that the small dia. TOVEX explosive is at least as efficient as the 75% dynamite previously commonly used for tunnelling.
16.
Safety Record of Product. The remarks contained in para. 010 above also apply. The main difference in Du Pont's and Ireco's manufacture process lies in the sensitizer used. The Iraco explosive is sensitized by the use of paintfine aluminium powder which causes acreation of the product when tiny gas bubbles form ontthe aluminium's surface. Du Pont's explosive on the other hand is sensitized by the addition of the chemical monomethylamine nitrate (MMAN). There are risks involved with both processes but they may be held to be slight and, in view of the precautions built in to the manufacturing system, acceptable.
17. offered
Time Moeded to Manufacture. The company have
(see Annex D) to contractually agree to bring their plant into operation within 12 months after pecsession.
18.
Product Price. Like I.C.I. Du Font decline to enter into any agrooment on future pricing. It is considered, however, that this company will sell at a lower price to tho user than I.C.I. My reasons for thinking so are several. Firstly Du Pont have indicated in detailed proposals earlier submitted to Government that they could provide watergel products at 5 to 10% below current dynamite prices in Hong Kong. Secondly they will have less to recover in the way of premium and capital expenditure. Thirdly they have more experience in the production of large quantities of small dia. watergels using a proven technology which they themselves own.