WASHINGTON, DC – The Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME) released its first-ever economic impact study highlighting the importance of the commercial explosives industry at the national, state, and congressional district levels. The study, based on 2023 data, revealed that the commercial explosives industry creates more than 60,000 jobs and contributes more than $19 billion each year to the U.S. economy.
Considered the ultimate power tool, commercial explosives are essential for quarrying aggregates necessary to build our nation’s infrastructure, mining critical minerals, and producing both traditional and renewable sources of energy.
“Few people today give much thought to the essential role commercial explosives play in our everyday lives,” said IME President Clark Mica. “Throughout our nation’s history, commercial explosives have not only helped build America, they have enabled our modern way of life. Whether it is the car you drive to work, the fuel you use to power your car, the roads you drive on, or the mobile phone you use to communicate, commercial explosives make all of these things possible.”
The economic impact study includes the direct contribution, supplier contribution, and downstream positive impacts of the entire commercial explosives industry value chain—from manufacturers to distributors to users. “This report shows the great success and impact of the commercial explosives industry,” said Tim O’Brien, President of Detotec North America, Inc., and Chair of IME’s Board of Governors.
“The commercial explosives industry creates good-paying career opportunities with good benefits while also being a positive economic driver in our local communities.”
The study showed that commercial explosives generated more than $1.2 billion in federal taxes and another $1 billion in state and local taxes for municipalities across the country, funding important projects like building roads and schools.
“Our mission is to improve the world we live in through the safe and responsible use of commercial explosives,” said Jason Rawlings, President of Austin Powder Co., and Vice Chair of IME’s Board of Governors. “While there are still significant opportunities to grow our workforce, you can’t dispute the overall positive impact our industry has in the U.S.”
Mica concluded: “The impact of commercial explosives cannot be understated. As the first link in many of our nation’s supply chains, commercial explosives truly build America.”
The study was conducted by John Dunham & Associates, a prominent economic research firm, and was commissioned by the Institute of Makers of Explosives.
For more information, including industry data at the state and congressional district levels, please visit www.explosivesbuildamerica.org.
The ISEE Board of Directors met in Cleveland on July 11-12, 2024, for their mid-year board meeting.
📸 Pictured left to right: Abraham Lindo, Catherine Johnson, Frank Lucca, Shashi Kanth, Janeen Smith (President), Braden Lusk (Past President), Cara Rosen, Tom Young, Travis Davidsavor (Secretary). Also present: ISEE Executive Director Steve Shivak, MS, CAE.
Not pictured but present via Zoom: Mark Dean, Brian Lewis, Thomas Palangio Jr., John Watson (Treasurer)
The ISEE’s 51st Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique is quickly approaching! Join industry leaders at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee, NC, from January 21 - 26, 2025.
Registration is now OPEN for both conference attendees and exhibitor booths.
This conference is the premier event for professionals in explosives and blasting. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect, learn, and advance your expertise.
👉 Visit ISEE's Conference Page for more details and to register.
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Blasters Training spanned two days, offering specialized instruction for field blasters on both Friday and Saturday. It qualified for re-training hours in various states. Topics included Safety and Security During Loading Operation, How Drilling Inaccuracies Affect Blasting, Ground Vibration Community Effects, Bulk Trucks – Calibration, Types, Uses, New Technology, Blaster’s Math Workshop, The Results of Small Mistakes on Blasting Operations, Close Proximity Blasting Next to Sensitive Structures, Perimeter Control through Step Drilling and Cushion Blasting, Delay Timing for Different Geologies, Seismograph Setup and Interpretation, and Best Practices When Using Detonating Cord and Detonators.
Additionally, the Blasters Training featured a regulatory panel discussion, video roundup, lunches, and a welcome reception in the exhibit hall. Attendees had the opportunity to explore the latest product innovations in blasting technology.