Did you know? There is a new way to program E*STAR electronic detonators. Log by walking - 40% faster with less manpower. Walk the row, hook up the connectors to the bus-line, and the logger programs detonators in the background. Smarter, faster, safer. From Austin Powder.

America has more than 4 million miles of roads. Every one of them starts in a quarry. The aggregate, crushed stone, gravel, sand, that goes into pavement, concrete, and construction comes from quarries operating in all 50 states. And quarrying, at its core, depends on commercial explosives. The numbers tell a powerful story: → ~3 million metric tons of commercial explosives are consumed in the U.S. annually → IME member companies produce over 95% of that supply → Quarrying operations support road construction, building foundations, bridges, and more This is not a niche industry. This is the literal foundation of American infrastructure: the invisible first step that makes everything else possible. When you drive to work, your commute began with a blast. hashtag#ExplosivesBuildAmerica hashtag#America250 hashtag#Quarrying hashtag#AmericanInfrastructure

Advocating for Our Industry Austin Powder was proud to join industry leaders for IME Hill Day—engaging with policymakers on the critical role explosives play in supporting infrastructure, mining, and energy. These conversations help ensure strong safety standards, reliable supply chains, and clear regulations that keep essential projects moving forward. At Austin Powder, we’re committed to advancing our industry responsibly—today and for the future. Safety is Our 1st Priority #AustinPowder #IME #Infrastructure #SafetyFirst #IndustryLeadership

In the blasting world, there isn’t a second chance to get fragmentation right. How might changing your explosive charging affect your fragmentation outcome? A common scenario: you are considering changing to a different blasting agent with different energy levels, or maybe you are considering decking due to environmental constraints. With Paradigm from Austin Powder, you can quickly switch between different charging scenarios and compare the expected outcomes. Simulate before you detonate, with Austin Powder and Paradigm. Learn more at paradigm.austinpowder.com

Austin Powder Shows Up Strong at SAFEX 2026 At this year’s XXI SAFEX International Congress in Lisbon, Austin Powder made a powerful statement with a 37-member delegation fully committed to advancing safety, knowledge sharing, and industry leadership. From leading technical training sessions to contributing six impactful presentations, our team was at the forefront of the conversations shaping the future of the explosives industry. We didn’t just participate—we helped drive progress. Key highlights: •Leading specialized training on safe explosives operations •Driving collaboration in global workgroups on critical safety topics •Sharing insights on AI, transportation safety, human behavior, and incident prevention •Strengthening the industry’s “Corporate Memory” through knowledge exchange But beyond the numbers, SAFEX 2026 reinforced what matters most: our shared responsibility to protect one another and to continuously raise the bar for safety. Safety is Our 1st Priority #AustinPowder #SAFEX2026 #SafetyFirst #IndustryLeadership #GlobalCollaboration #ContinuousImprovement

Austin Powder Supports Education and the Future of Young People in Argentina In line with its commitment to education, community development, and the creation of long-term opportunities, Austin Powder is proud to participate as a sponsor in a new edition of the student sponsorship program “La Universidad a tu Alcance” (“University Within Your Reach”). This initiative is led by the Tandil University Graduates Association in partnership with the National University of Central Buenos Aires Province (UNICEN) and, this year, also includes Faro Verde as a strategic partner. The program is designed to support university students around Tandil, Olavarria and Azul, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, helping them continue and successfully complete their studies by providing financial assistance and mentoring during a critical stage of their academic and personal journey. “At Austin Powder, we are proud to support initiatives that promote education and create real opportunities for young people in the communities where we operate. Investing in education is also an investment in sustainable development and in the future of the Tandil–Olavarría–Azul region,” said Juan Mario Albarello, Tandil Branch Manager.

This Photo of the Month was taken by Donovan Faulkner, Blast Crew Member in California, USA, and is entitled, The Art of Blasting, Painted by Nature. Donovan says, “Morning light washes over the quarry wall, a perfect beginning to the blaster’s day..

Breaking Barriers Underground With 72,600 Tonnes Blasted from the Surface Big moment underground when Austin Powder and Nyrstar successfully fired a historic surface-initiated underground blast, safely breaking 72,600 tonnes from Immel Mine’s Stope 25 77 W, with zero personnel underground. Using the E*STAR CUBE centralized blasting system, the team remotely verified and fired 1,350 electronic detonators from the surface, delivering millisecond-accurate timing, full digital traceability, and unmatched control for one of the largest stope blasts executed this way. The result? Improved safety, reduced misfire risk, precise fragmentation, and a complete digital audit trail — proving that large-scale underground blasting can be safer, smarter, and fully connected. This milestone marks the next chapter in a six-year partnership built on trust, innovation, and the pursuit of what’s possible underground. Read the full Benefit Study at this link. austinpowder.com/wp-content/…

Scaling Green: Expanding Dinamita Nursery Vision to 10,000 Plants Austin Powder has expanded the Dinamita Plant Nursery, now reaching a milestone capacity of 10,000 native plants annually. With new greenhouses and a focus on resilient species, the project supports reforestation, biodiversity, and healthier ecosystems in surrounding communities. A great example of scaling sustainability with long-term impact.

Youth Get Real World Avalanche Awareness Experience in B.C. The Fernie Secondary School students in British Columbia recently left the classroom to spend a full day at Fernie Alpine Resort learning about avalanche safety through a hands-on awareness program supported by the ski patrol, Avalanche Canada, and local community members, including Austin Powder Avalanche. Under clear skies and fresh snowfall, students used skis, transceivers, shovels, and probes to practice real-world rescue scenarios, snowpack analysis, and hazard recognition. Ski patrollers guided students through the ways weather and terrain affect avalanche conditions, demonstrated controlled avalanche mitigation methods, and introduced the role of avalanche dogs in search-and-rescue operations. The experience was built on previous classroom instruction, giving students their first opportunity to apply avalanche safety principles in active mountain terrain. Fernie Alpine Resort provided lift access and equipment support, while Avalanche Canada and local businesses supplied training gear to ensure full participation. Educators said the day highlighted the importance of preparation and community collaboration in mountain safety, reinforcing that recreation in alpine environments requires knowledge, responsibility, and respect.

Enjoy these blast videos of the month from Austin Powder!

Meet Leslie Stark, Emulsion Quality & Development Manager for Austin Powder. Leslie was highlighted by the Institute of Makers of Explosives during Women's History Month. See the complete story at this link. ime.org/aws/IME/pt/sd/news_a…

Great Place to Work Certification Across Latin America We are delighted to share a new milestone that reflects our teams’ ongoing commitment to building a strong, people-centered, and inclusive organizational culture: all six Latin American countries where Austin Powder operates —Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Costa Rica, Panama, and Mexico— have earned the Great Place to Work® certification. This important recognition highlights the collective effort of our employees to continue fostering workplaces grounded in trust, collaboration, respect, and pride in belonging. Achieving this certification at a regional level reaffirms that, beyond the unique characteristics of each country, we share a common culture focused on people's well-being, approachable leadership, and professional development. In Argentina, this recognition takes on additional significance, as Austin Powder was also included in the Best Places to Work™ 2026 ranking, within the category of companies with 251 to 1,000 employees, placing among the 25 organizations best rated by their teams. The study assessed 300 organizations and gathered insights from more than 100,000 employees, highlighting organizational cultures built on trust, fairness, collaboration, and a sense of belonging. This new achievement fills us with pride and motivates us to continue strengthening a culture where every person can grow, develop, and feel connected to a shared purpose.

Did you know? The E*STAR Electronic Initiation System was first introduced in 2001, building a strong pedigree of reliable electronic initiation over more than two decades. Through continuous innovation and multiple generations of advancement, it has consistently raised the bar for precision, safety, and control. Today, in its fourth evolution, E*STAR reflects the full strength of that experience in modern blasting environments.

Austin Powder Africa Commissions AN Warehouse in Namibia Austin Powder Africa has reached an exciting milestone with the commissioning of a new ammonium nitrate (AN) storage facility in Namibia. Located near Walvis Bay, this strategically positioned site strengthens our regional supply network, supporting mining operations across Central and Southern Africa with improved reliability and distribution efficiency. With five dedicated warehouses and room for future expansion, the facility enhances our ability to deliver critical materials safely and efficiently, leveraging a location designed for optimal storage conditions and streamlined logistics. This investment reflects our continued commitment to building strong, integrated supply solutions that support growth across the region.

Big Step Forward for Sustainability at Red Diamond in McArthur, Ohio! We’ve successfully installed a new KartridgePak (KP) machine, bringing meaningful environmental improvements to our cartridging operations. The upgrade significantly reduces hazardous waste by improving material precision, lowering contaminated film waste, and cutting emissions by 2.1 tCO₂e annually. With more efficient energy use, cleaner processes, and improved waste handling, this project strengthens our commitment to reducing environmental impact while creating a safer, more sustainable workplace.

Global Leadership in Argentina: A Visit Focused on Our People and Culture Austin Powder recently welcomed corporate executives and GLT members, John Rathbun, Brian Richardson, and Randy Khalaf to Argentina. The executives were accompanied throughout the visit by Ignacio Rigou and Pablo Manfredi. The agenda included visits to the Juramento plant in Salta, dedicated to ammonium nitrate production, and to the Bella Italia and Rafaela plants in Santa Fe, where Emulsions, Shock*Star and E*STAR detonators, detonating cord, PETN, RDX, ANFO, and Helix are manufactured. During these visits, the executives toured the facilities, learned about the production processes, and engaged directly with local teams. Beyond the operational overview, the visit focused on getting to know our people and experiencing the organizational culture that defines Austin day to day. In this regard, Pablo Manfredi, President of Latin America, stated: “It is a point of pride to welcome corporate visits and showcase how we work, the potential of our people, and our projects. We are confident that with the contribution of Austin’s new leaders, we will continue to drive the growth of our business.”

Chile Launches Strategic Ammonium Nitrate Emulsion Plant Project Austin Powder Chile officially launched the Ammonium Nitrate Emulsion Plant Project. This initiative is one of the key projects within the LATAM Operating Agenda and represents a strategic step toward strengthening the company’s presence in the region. The meeting marked the start of civil works activities. Gonzalo Marías, General Manager of ACHT, commented: “Developed jointly by the Chilean team and global engineering and safety functions, the project aims to supply bulk emulsion for the medium- and large-scale mining segments. As part of the strategy, the future incorporation of MMU is also planned, completing a comprehensive products and services offering.” The project is led by Jairo Gamboa, LATAM Project Engineer & Technical Support, and includes constructing a bulk emulsion plant to enhance Austin Powder’s operational capacity and competitiveness in Chile. Construction and assembly are expected to be completed within six months, consolidating a significant investment for ACHT’s regional growth.

Do you find yourself blasting near expensive equipment or infrastructure? Flying rock from a blast can lead to damage and downtime. Austin Powder and Paradigm can help you assess the risk when blasting near objects of interest and determine the best path forward. Can the equipment be moved? Should the blast be drilled or charged differently? How might that affect other outcomes? The power to decide is in your hands. Find out more at Paradigm.AustinPowder.com

Meet Braden Schmidt, President of CIL Avalanche at Austin Powder