Introduction

VARI-STEM Blast Improvement / Blast Control Plugs are quickly becoming one of the most widely used and accepted stemming plugs in the industry. First introduced in 1997, they are now being used worldwide.

VARI-STEM Plugs are used in vertical and horizontal blasting applications within the following industries:

VARI-STEM Plugs work by creating a blocking effect within the drill hole by wedging the stemming material between the drill hole wall and our plug. Upon detonation of the explosives, the plug is forced upward into the stemming material and locks up. When the plug “locks up”, the explosive gases and energy are prevented from traveling (venting) up through the drill hole, and instead are contained within the rock mass for milliseconds (ms) longer than non-plugged blasts.

VARI-STEM contains the explosive energy within the rock mass where it belongs!

Blasting is the first step in the aggregate and mining production process and the results happen in milliseconds! If you can make the rock smaller during the first step of the process, all other processes and phases will benefit. (Downstream cost savings!)

Increased Fragmentation, Fracturing and Cap Rock Breakage. Reductions in Fly Rock, Air Blast, Stemming Ejection, Dust, Noise and Oversized Rock. These are all direct benefits and results of containing the blast energy within the rock mass for milliseconds longer than normal, simply by using VARI-STEM.

We know we manufacture an effective, field-tested and proven plug that works in a variety of blasting applications and in a variety of geologic conditions.

• Are you still using wadded up bags as a plugging device?  VARI-STEM Plugs install just as easily but produce substantially greater blast containment.
• If you use crushed rock or drill cuttings alone for stemming, test our plugs in combination with your current stemming and compare the results.
• If you currently use a competitor’s plug, we invite you to test and compare VARI-STEM, with the patented gear design.
• If you currently use blasting mats, test our plugs with and without the mats and compare the results.

Stop losing money! Increase your profits! Call us today for Free Trial Samples!

At an average of only $80.00 per blast you can 
Save Thousands of Dollars in Secondary Breakage and Downstream Costs,
as well as Reduce your Cap Rock, Fly Rock, Air Blast and Nuisance Complaints.

Utilizing VARI-STEM is one of the few things you can do today, that will Improve your Blast Performance, Safety and Productivity tomorrow!