Note: 1) Initiating explosives can include components which transmit signals by electrical or chemical (ie. non-electric) onergy. systems or sequences and individual firing times can be controlled by electrical timing 3) Initiating explosives include various inert components which are wholly or partially consumed in the blast. Electric initiation systems use electrical energy to activate detonators which then initiate explosives charges. Note: 1) Electric firing requires a source of electrical energy and a circuit of insulated conductors to transmit the electric current to each detonator. 2) Electrical energy can be generated as required, stored in batteries, or supplied by an external source. Non-electric initiation systems transit the initiation signal using mechanisms other than electrical energy. Note: 1) A non-electric initiation signal may be transmitted by a number of means which range from rapid burning to violent detonation. 2) The energy to transmit the initiation signal is sourced from chemicals stored in the components of the non-electric initiation system, A combination of electric and non-electric initiation systems can be used to initiate blasts but there is a trend towards non-electric systems in open-cut mines and