BLASTBAG™ AERO
BLASTBAG™ AERO is an air-operated blastbag used to block, deck, or support explosives in blastholes. It's designed for sites that run service air and need a clean, simple way to control voids and explosive energy. The AERO uses compressed air only, making it safe, reliable, and easy to run underground.
The dual bladder setup and the tough outer bag stop leaks and hold pressure well . The snap-on valve connects fast to standard underground air fittings. Once inflated, BLASTBAG™ AERO holds position, protects the drilled hole, caps upholes, and helps improve fragmentation. It also helps cut explosive wastage and control final wall conditions.
MTi also supplies hose reels, inflators, AB-C couplings, weights, and droplines to install the BLASTBAG™ in any direction — even underwater.
Live pricing and same-day-ship priority once you're in. Setup takes 60 seconds — we just need to confirm you're a real operation.
- P.O.
Why BLASTBAG™ AERO
Air-operated efficiency
Inflates from your mine or compressor air supply. No chemicals, no canisters.
Why it matters: Use the compressed air already on site. Lower operating cost per hole, simpler logistics.
Dual bladder security
Two independent bladders provide redundant sealing against the hole wall.
Why it matters: If one bladder is compromised, the second maintains the deck. Built-in failsafe.
Robust outer cover
Heavy-duty woven cover protects the bladders from sharp rock and rough insertion.
Why it matters: Survives the hole conditions that shred lighter bags. Fewer failures, fewer re-deployments.
Snap coupling ease
Quick-snap coupling connects the inflation hose in one click.
Why it matters: Fast hookup, fast disconnect. Less time per hole, more holes per shift.
Enhanced fragmentation
Creates a reliable air deck that optimizes energy distribution in the explosive column.
Why it matters: Better rock breakage with less explosive. Your powder factor improves, your costs go down.
Eco-friendly product
No chemical propellants. Inflated with clean compressed air.
Why it matters: Meets environmental standards on sensitive sites. No residual chemicals left in the hole.
Built for the bench.
Compressor-inflated
Hook up the air line, inflate to the pressure you need. No fixed cartridge — adjust on the fly.
Long-hole capable
Built for deep angled holes and uphole work where a self-inflating bag isn't the right tool.
Water-shedding seal
Holds against groundwater in wet upholes. Proven on the wet portions of underground gold operations.
Built for every condition.
Wet upholes
Paired with the BLASTSHIELD™ liner, the AERO stops emulsion slumping in long uphole drilling.
Deep angled holes
When the hole is 25+ m and angled, you want a bag you can place and inflate to a controlled pressure.
Groundwater-prone ground
Air-operated inflation lets you adjust pressure to the local conditions instead of relying on a fixed cartridge charge.
Specs, storage & more.
| 02-005 | 4"-12 1/4" — 35/box |
| 02-025 | 3"-8" — 60/box |
| Weight | 25lbs |
| DG classification | Non-DG |
| Non-flammable | Yes |
| Non-toxic | Yes |
| Non-sparking | Yes |
| Pack size | 60/box |
| Model | Nominal | Metric | Range | Qty/Box | SKU | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bilby Short | 3" – 8" | 76 – 203 mm | 3–8" | 60 | 02-025 | |
| Emu | 4" – 12 1/4" | 100 – 311 mm | 4–12.25" | 35 | 02-005 |
Pick the right one.
Every time.
Detailed Comparison
BLASTBAG™ SOLO
|
BLASTBAG™ EVO
|
BLASTBAG™ ACE II
|
BLASTBAG™ AERO
|
BLASTBALL™
|
MITIPLUG
|
ROCKRIVETS
|
SLUMPSTOPPA™
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Inflatable bag | Inflatable bag | Inflatable bag | Inflatable bag | Inflatable plug | Mechanical plug | Retention plug | Retention device |
| Inflation / Mechanism | Aerosol, 2-speed actuator (non-flammable, non-toxic) | Aerosol, variable pressure sleeve | Chemical reaction (non-DG, no metal) | Compressed air (service air lines) | Compressed air via drop line, hermetic bladder + nylon webbing | Flexible pilgrim-hat fins (no inflation) | Collet-fin friction (rigid or semi-rigid) | Polymer bristles + stainless spine (gas-permeable) |
| Hole Size Range | 4.5" – 12.25" / 114 – 311 mm | 4" – 9⅞" / 100 – 250 mm | 3" – 10⅝" / 76 – 270 mm | 2.5" – 12.25" / 64 – 311 mm | 2.5" – 8" / 64 – 203 mm | 2.5" – 4" / 64 – 102 mm | 3" – 9" / 76 – 230 mm | 2.5" – 4.5" / 64 – 115 mm |
| Surface / UG | Both | Surface | Both | UG specialist - both | Both, wet-hole rated | UG | Both | UG |
| DG Class | Class 9 | Class 9 | Non-DG | Non-DG | Non-DG | Non-DG | Non-DG | Non-DG |
| Best For Air Decking | The most-used aerosol bag worldwide — single-operator, ~30 seconds per hole | Two SKUs cover most hole sizes — simpler stocking, fewer decisions | Sites with strict storage rules or metal-detector conveyors | Underground sites running service air — snap-on coupling | Wet holes, breakthroughs, cracks/voids — the only wet-hole-rated inflatable | Underground emulsion or ANFO upholes — column retention + air deck in one | Retains the charge column and creates a controlled air deck on trim and pre-split rows | Emulsion uphole loading — holds the column while letting gas through |
Swipe to see all columns →
Pick BLASTBAG™ SOLO when you're running surface benches and want the most-used aerosol gas bag on the market. Self-contained, single-operator deploy, no extra gear — ~30 seconds per hole. Two-speed actuator lets you inflate slow or fast depending on the situation. Sizes from 4.5" to 12.25" (114 – 311 mm) cover every standard production hole. Class 9 DG — stores and ships under aerosol rules.
Pick BLASTBAG™ EVO when you want aerosol convenience without the SKU sprawl. Two sizes — Hawk (4" – 6") and Eagle (6" – 9⅞") — cover most surface holes, so you stock less and make one decision on the bench instead of four. Single bladder seals against the hole wall; pressure sleeve controls inflation speed. Class 9 DG.
Pick BLASTBAG™ ACE II when storage or transport rules make aerosol products a hassle, or when you're running metal-detector conveyors that throw false trips. Chemical reaction inflation — no aerosol, no metal components, non-DG. Same air-deck performance as SOLO and EVO, just delivered through a controlled chemical reaction instead of pressurized gas. Sizes 3" through 10⅝" (76 – 270 mm).
Pick BLASTBAG™ AERO when you're underground with service air lines available. Compressed-air operated, dual-bladder construction, snap-on coupling for fast connect/disconnect. Works in any direction — up holes, down holes, even underwater. Sizes 2.5" through 12.25" (64 – 311 mm). Best-seller in underground and the cleanest install when air is already on site. Non-DG.
Pick BLASTBALL™ when the hole is wet or you've got breakthroughs and cracks to seal. The only inflatable in this collection rated for wet-hole deployment — lower it through water on a drop line, then inflate with compressed air. Reinforced rubber bladder with nylon webbing handles -58°F to 185°F (-50°C to 85°C). Sizes 2.5" to 8" (64 – 203 mm). Underground development specialist.
Pick MITIPLUG™ when you're loading emulsion or ANFO into underground upholes and need a mechanical plug that creates an air deck AND retains the column. Flexible pilgrim-hat fins fold back on insertion, then lock in place — and the fins let gas through. Revised design includes downline protection. Fits 2.5" to 4" (64 – 102 mm). The most popular plug for underground emulsion upholes.
Pick ROCKRIVET™ when you need to create a controlled air deck on a trim or pre-split row, or hold the charge column with maximum retention and downline pass-through. Collet-style fins bite the hole wall and don't walk, twist, or shift. Iron ore case study: 38% smaller P80 fragment size with ROCKRIVETS installed. Sizes 3" to 9" (76 – 230 mm), rigid for heavier loads, semi-rigid for tighter holes.
Pick SLUMPSTOPPA™ when you're loading emulsion in underground upholes and need a gas-permeable retention device to hold the column without compromising the gassing reaction. Polymer bristles with a stainless steel spine hold the column while letting emulsion gas through. Fits 2.5" to 4.5" (64 – 115 mm). The dedicated emulsion-slump solution for underground upholes.

























