Explosives: The overlooked risk that could halt mines

Trade tensions and supply disruptions threaten mine production despite advances in blasting technology.

Canadian miners are underestimating the risk of explosives shortages that could disrupt production as trade tensions and geopolitical instability expose weaknesses in critical supply chains, EPC Canada president and CEO Olivier Vandenabelle says.

The warning comes as the Kirkland Lake, Ont.-based explosives supplier marks a decade of operations in Canada.

Since acquiring Nordex Explosives in 2016, its French parent, EPC Groupe, has expanded the business to five sites across Ontario and Quebec, increased sales tenfold and grown its workforce to nearly 200 employees.

“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 was the clearest turning point,” Vandenabelle said.

“Russia was the world’s largest exporter of ammonium nitrate, a key raw material for commercial explosives.” The conflict forced EPC Canada to abandon Russian ammonium nitrate imports and switch to US suppliers, using rail transportation to maintain deliveries.

The experience exposed the mining industry’s reliance on a limited number of chemical producers and transportation routes.

While permitting delays, infrastructure shortages and labour constraints dominate discussions about Canada’s mining future, Vandenabelle argues that access to essential industrial inputs deserves greater attention.

Even a fully staffed and equipped mine can face production interruptions if it cannot obtain explosives.

The pandemic had already disrupted chemical imports from Asia and increased shipping costs.

More recently, a November 2025 incident at CF Industries’ Yazoo City facility in Mississippi disrupted another major North American supply source.

Canadian miners are underestimating the risk of explosives shortages that could disrupt production as trade tensions and geopolitical instability expose weaknesses in critical supply chains, EPC Canada president and CEO Olivier Vandenabelle says.

The warning comes as the Kirkland Lake, Ontario-based explosives supplier marks a decade of operations in Canada.

Since acquiring Nordex Explosives in 2016, its French parent, EPC Groupe, has expanded the business to five sites across Ontario and Quebec, increased sales tenfold and grown its workforce to nearly 200 employees.

“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 was the clearest turning point,” Vandenabelle said.