Features, Benefits & Applications

• Prevents plug collapse in undersized holes or when forced over jagged rocks.
• Makes the plug detonator cord (tube or wire) friendly. The numerous vertical grooves on the outside diameter of the plug prevent the detonator cord from being crushed, nicked or pulled into the drill hole during insertion. (The cord will simply slip into one of the vertical grooves.)
• Gives structural strength to the plug.

These plugs should be inserted point-down. Using a standard loading/charge pole, simply push the plug to the ANFO or Emulsion. It literally takes seconds!!!

Installation Video [High Bandwidth Connection]

Installation Video [Low Bandwidth Connection]

No special tools or drill hole preparation. Larger plugs have a lead stem for proper alignment.

When VARI-STEM is placed directly on top of the ANFO or Emulsion, the faster moving shock wave travels up the path of least resistance (the drill hole) and is slowed down for milliseconds (ms) by our plug, forcing the explosive energy and gases out into the rock mass. The slower moving heat wave, following behind the faster shock wave, then comes in contact with our plug destroying much of it. (Any remnants of the plug can be screened out or burned up in the kiln.)

Inexpensive piece cost with quantity break discounts.
Drop shipments are available to reduce inventory at your job site, mine or quarry.

• Reduces fly rock, stemming ejection/movement and dust
• Reduces air blast, noise and nuisance complaints
• Higher loading in hard cap rock, improves cap rock breakage
• Reduces oversized boulders that are dangerous and costly to move/handle
• Reduces secondary breakage costs
• Increases overall rock fragmentation
• Increases microfractures within the broken/blasted rock
• Expand patterns, same fragmentation with less drill holes
• Multiple plugs help isolate weak seams
• Reduces electrical usage and costs
• Reduces crusher downtime and prolongs the life of crusher wear parts
• Improves primary and secondary crusher productivity/throughput (tph)
• Reduces overall downstream costs

• Open Pit
• Presplitting
• Choke Blasting
• Trench Blasting
• Air Decking (in small diameter holes)
• Tunneling