Yellowknife (July 23/03) - Break Away Drilling and Blasting is a new company with a couple of experienced veterans at the helm.

Break Away's operations manager, Roger Mann, and safety consultant, Shawna Ward, are partners -- both in life and in business. While the couple is planning to return to residential life in Yellowknife in late 2003, Mann left in 1998 for the warmer climate of Rocky Mountain House, Alta.

With 15 years experience working for companies such as BHP Billiton and Diavik, the couple decided to set off on their own business venture in April.

Since then, Break Away has been active in Yellowknife, blasting for residential developments.

"We haven't even advertised yet but people tend to know the industry and Roger has an established name," said Ward.

The company currently has two drills and plans to acquire more.

New dynamite

Speaking by telephone from their residence in Rocky Mountain House,

Mann explained dynamite is not as dangerous as it used to be.

"Dynamite is 75 per cent nitro and they mix it with some other components to make it safe. It's not like the western days when it could blow on you," said Mann.

"Then we also use a fertilizer called amex anfo which is basically ammonium nitrate and we add fuel oil," said Mann.

"It has different properties in that it is slower reacting but more powerful, it causes less fracturing but it also creates more movement," said Mann.

"I started working there in 1988 for McCaws Drilling and I've been (working) there ever since," said Mann.

Freddie the Mascot

One of the more unique aspects of the Break Away Drilling and Blasting, says Ward, is the addition of their company mascot: Freddie, a Jack Russell terrier.

"Freddie helps load holes and he likes to dig. We usually shoo him away when we're blasting, but he rides on the drill," Ward said.

"He growls sometimes, I think he's trying to protect me. He goes in the loader and he has lunch with us and all the guys know him and seem to appreciate having him around," said Ward.