1. According to a notification by Home Ministry, GoI; it has asked for a ban on Ammonium Nitrate production
which puts risk on ammonium nitrate producers on operations. To mitigate the risk of producers, therefore need
attention of stakeholders on how vital is for the country’s economy.
* The paper is for reference purpose.
3. AMMONIM NITRATE (NH4NO3)
An inorganic compound.
It is manufactured by a chemical reaction of Ammonia and nitric acid under controlled
environment.
It is manufactured and marketed in both solid and liquid form.
India’s share of AN market is from domestic production and international imports
accounts for approx. 50 % each.
Physical Properties
Appearance: Colourless crystal.
Odour: Odourless.
Solubility: Easy soluble.
Decomposition: Stable under ordinary condition of use and storage but emit nitrous
oxide when heated to decomposition.
General: Hygroscopic in nature.
4. USAGE or APPLICATION
Usage:
Used as a key ingredient in the
explosives for Mines, Quarries and
Infrastructure.
Used in production of Nitrous Gases
for Anesthesia Purpose in Hospitals.
Dyes and Chemicals.
Metal Cladding in the engineering
industry.
Fertilizer companies use it as an
interim product to manufacturer
complex fertilizers.
Uses: Other Industry
Used in instant cold packs
Used in the treatment of some
titanium ores
Used in the preparation of nitrous
oxide
Used in survival kits mixed with zinc
dust and ammonium chloride
Used for making rocket propellant
and in making Guanidine Nitrate.
Products of AN reactions are used
in air bags used in cars
5. Industrial use of
ammonium nitrate,
primarily as an
explosive material,
accounts for about 24%
of world ammonium
nitrate consumption.
6. AMMONIUM NITRATE IN MINING & INFRASTRUCTURE
Coal accounts for 65 – 70% of the consumption of the Ammonium nitrate based explosive.
Coal is the mainstay of the Indian energy sector contributing over 51% of the primary energy
and 54% of the electricity generation.
The mining and infrastructure sector is the backbone of all industries in India. With the growth
ahead as per the 11th & 12th plan, major focus will be on the coal, iron ore, limestone and
infrastructure.
Blasting is one of the key activity in the value chain of mining.
Use of Ammonium Nitrate in Blasting
• Ammonium Nitrate as major ingredient in the manufacturing of explosives.
• Every year country requires more than 650 KMT of Ammonium Nitrate.
Major raw material for all kinds of explosives used for industrial purpose.
7. SAFE IN USE
• Does not blow of its own: Not used singularly for any explosive activity –
Requires a primary charge and a detonator which are controlled and
regulated under the Explosive Rules.
• Its physical hazards on human beings and the environment is minimal
• The number of accidents in explosives/ blasting have come down
drastically after the stoppage of Nitroglycerine (i.e. Gelatines).
Ammonium Nitrate is not an explosive. It is only an oxygenator.
8. OBSERVABLE DANGER
• Naxals and terrorists use in anti-national activities – therefore require
stringent regulations.
• Due to loose import bulk supply – a rampant pilferage.
• The entire operation is non standard without any accounting norm –
vulnerable to pilferage.
• Serious risk perception considering the location of the port and the
nearby areas having presence of extremist & naxals.
• Higher risk as large quantity of the material is available at any given point
of time and the port area having sensitive habitation in terms of men
and machinery.
9. RECOMMENDATIONS
Regulation- Need to monitor and regulate bulk imports in loose forms of
Ammonium Nitrate.
Licenses- Award of licenses for import of AN to reputed players only.
Import of AN should be Packaged in Bags and not in loose form to avoid
pilferages during transit (Draft (MoH- Ammonium Nitrate rules- 2009
admits the same)
Distribution-
– Introduce & regulate a framework in distribution of AN to end users
– Proper arrangements in transit from port/manufacturer to end users - keeping in
view - to safeguard the movements of ammonium nitrate, to avoid misuse.
