I Blew Up a Cliff to Mine Clay on my Desert Ranch

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In the most isolated spot in Texas, I'm tackling one of the biggest challenges for my desert forest project: water retention. While I can't make it rain more, I can help the water that does fall stay near plant roots longer, and that's where clay comes in.

There's plenty of clay on my ranch, but it's cemented in place and hard as rock. After my mini excavator and bulldozer proved useless against this formidable material, I turned to a more... explosive solution.

In this video, I work with my friend Daniel to set up and detonate 35 pounds of ammonal (a mixture of ammonium nitrate and aluminum) to break up a clay deposit.

After checking with the ATF about regulations, ordering explosives online (yes, that's legal!), and some trial and error with drilling, we successfully blast the clay deposit.

The explosion creates an impressive dust cloud and loosens material that I can now use to dramatically improve the water-holding capacity of sandy soil in my terraces.

It might not be the most economical mining method, but it's definitely the most exciting way to give my desert forest a boost!

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#explosives #desert forest #off grid #DIY explosives