What is ANFO?

What is ANFO?

• A. Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil
• B. Ammonia Nitrite Formaldehyde Oxide
• C. Aluminum Nitrate Fuel Oil
• D. Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oxygen

Answer: (A)

ANFO stands for ammonium nitrate fuel oil. It’s a widely used blasting agent in mining and construction because it’s inexpensive and effective. In this mix, ammonium nitrate provides the oxidizer, supplying oxygen for combustion, while the fuel oil supplies the energy. Together, they form a powerful explosive when properly initiated. The other options don’t match this well-known combination: one lists a different, nonstandard mixture, another substitutes aluminum nitrate for the oxidizer, and the last uses oxygen instead of a fuel. So the familiar acronym clearly refers to ammonium nitrate fuel oil.

ANFO stands for ammonium nitrate fuel oil. It’s a widely used blasting agent in mining and construction because it’s inexpensive and effective. In this mix, ammonium nitrate provides the oxidizer, supplying oxygen for combustion, while the fuel oil supplies the energy. Together, they form a powerful explosive when properly initiated. The other options don’t match this well-known combination: one lists a different, nonstandard mixture, another substitutes aluminum nitrate for the oxidizer, and the last uses oxygen instead of a fuel. So the familiar acronym clearly refers to ammonium nitrate fuel oil.