What the boxes of missing dynamite look like                photo courtesy Orica Canada Inc.

Prince George, BC – As Terrace RCMP continue to seek any information that will lead to the recovery of two boxes of dynamite which reportedly fell off a freight truck on a forest service road near that community, the company providing the explosives is currently conducting an internal investigation, as well.

Ten days ago, Orica Canada Inc. reported that three boxes of dynamite being shipped to Jocks Blasting inadvertently fell off the delivery truck on the West Kalum Forest Service Road near Terrace. 

RCMP investigators have determined the explosives were lost from the back of the truck at approximately 12pm, Monday, July 16th, between the four- and six-kilometre markers on the road. 

Senior Media Relations Officer, Corporal Dan Moskaluk, says one of the three boxes was recovered within half an hour of the loss.  An extensive ground search which included the use of a police service dog team failed to find any sign of the remaining two boxes.  Moskaluk says investigators have confirmed there were other vehicles on the road at the time the explosives fell off and it may be that a motorist picked up the boxes shortly thereafter.

"At this time, our main priority is locating and recovering the two boxes of dynamite as soon as possible," he says.  "The explosives do pose a health and safety risk to individuals not trained in handling it, in addition to the general public should it not be properly stored at this time." 

Meantime, Orica spokesperson, Jennifer Dunne, says the company is currently conducting an internal investigation into the incident to determine its cause and any corrective actions to be taken.  She says both Natural Resource Canada’s Explosives Regulatory Division and the Canadian Transportation Emergency Centre were notified within two hours of the incident and both entities continue to receive updates as further information is gathered.

Orica cautions its ‘PowerPro’ product is a nitroglycerin-sensitized, extra gelatin dynamite that is formulated for use in surface and underground mining applications.  It can be initiated by extreme instances of shock, friction, or mechanical impact.  It must be handled and stored with care and kept clear of flame and excessive heat.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of this material is being asked to contact the Terrace RCMP Detachment at 250-638-7415 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.