In recent years, explosive blasting slurries, containing aqueous solutions of ammonium nitrate and other powerful inorganic oxidizers plus thickeners, fuels, and sensitizers, have come into extensive use. Slurry blasting compositions of low water content and high density, including substantial proportions of calcium nitrate as an oxidizer component, can be sensitized in various ways to produce economical explosive compositions. Sensitizers may include aluminum powder, granular explosives such as smokeless powder, TNT, etc.; a particularly preferred sensitizer or fuel is ethylene glycol. Solid carbonaceous fuels and conventional thickeners may be added. The calcium nitrate may be produced directly from burned lime with nitric acid and/or other nitrates. (9 claims)