Fleming College

The Blasting Techniques program at Fleming College is successfully finishing up its first semester. Thirty-three students will be returning to class in January to finish this one-of-a-kind program. Blasters, supervisors and blasting contractors rarely have time or funding to set aside for blaster training. "Finally, people that wish to explore the possibility of joining the industry will have training available to reduce the learning curve on important blasting issues such as safety, regulations, documentation, blast design, execution and overall professionalism, " said Dale Laframboise, coordinator of the program. In October, students were given the opportunity to train with a new HCS 900 Furukawa Rock Drill, which was lent to Fleming, courtesy of Ottawa-based company Eastrock Inc. The drill gave students the opportunity to experience hands-on training with state-of-the-art equipment. The new Blasting Techniques program is a two-semester Ontario College Certificate program hosted at Fleming’s drilling and blasting training centre at the Frost Campus in Lindsay, Ontario. This program complements Fleming’s renowned two-year Resources Drilling and Blasting diploma program. Fleming has also recently launched a Geothermal Drilling program. Blasters fill blast holes with explosives and detonate them to dislodge ore, rock or aggregate, or to demolish structures. Blasters are employed by mining, quarrying, construction, and drilling and blasting companies. In this highly practical, hands-on program, students spend much of their time in labs, field classes and doing field assignments. Courses include explosives, blast-hole drilling, blasting theory, blast design, geology, safety and accident prevention, and environmental issues. Located in the heart of Central Ontario, Fleming College has campuses in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg and Haliburton. Named for famous Canadian inventor and engineer Sir Sandford Fleming, the college features more than 90 full-time programs in Business and Technology, Continuing Education and Skilled Trades, Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Fine Arts, Health and Wellness, and Law, Justice and Community Services. Fleming College has more than 5,000 full-time and 10,000 part-time students and 50,000 alumni. – 30 – For more information: Shelby Parker, Communications Officer, 705-749-5530 x 1370 or parker@flemingc.on.ca