America’s mines and construction sites are grinding to a halt as explosives vanish from the market, delaying vital infrastructure and inflating prices across the country.
At a Glance
- Explosives shortages linked to global conflicts are stalling U.S. projects
- TNT and ammonium nitrate prices have surged amid rising demand
- Cement, gravel, and aggregate delays are escalating nationwide
- New safety regulations increase compliance costs for small firms
- Domestic production expansion is not expected before 2026
Foreign Conflicts Drain U.S. Supplies
Explosives used in American construction and mining are increasingly scarce due to supply chain disruptions triggered by global military conflicts. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, key production hubs for TNT and ammonium nitrate have either ceased operations or redirected output toward military use. Subsequent conflicts across Asia and the Middle East through 2024 intensified global demand, further depleting availability for civilian markets in the United States.
The resulting shortage has sent explosive prices soaring and introduced delivery delays that ripple through dependent sectors. Cement, gravel, and aggregate suppliers now face unpredictable costs and unreliable timelines, compounding problems for public infrastructure and housing projects. Experts note that while similar issues have emerged in past conflicts, the current shortages are uniquely global in scope and duration.
Watch now: Why Are Construction Supply Chains Struggling
Regulations Add Fuel to the Fire
Federal and international regulators have imposed tighter rules governing the transport, storage, and handling of industrial explosives. These new standards, enacted in the U.S., European Union, and Australia, have created significant compliance burdens for civilian buyers. Combined with ongoing driver shortages in hazardous material logistics, these changes are further delaying deliveries and raising operational costs.
Smaller firms are disproportionately affected. Expanded tracking mandates for explosive precursors require time-intensive documentation and higher insurance premiums. Many companies are consolidating or outsourcing their blasting operations, giving larger vertically integrated firms more market control. This trend is reducing access to explosive materials in rural and underdeveloped regions where local construction and mining companies play a critical economic role.
Industry Adjusts, But Relief Is Distant
Industry leaders warn that domestic explosive production must ramp up quickly if delays and price instability are to be addressed. While the federal government has signed contracts to expand TNT production inside the U.S., these facilities are not expected to become operational before 2026. In the interim, many companies are switching to emulsion-based products and deploying remote-controlled detonation systems to offset risk and streamline operations.
Research into safer, more sustainable explosives is also underway, but most innovations remain years away from widespread commercial use. Until supply chains stabilize, communities across the country will continue facing the effects of postponed infrastructure upgrades, rising housing costs, and reduced employment in construction and mining sectors.
Sources
Shell Game: The Worldwide TNT Shortage
Mining Explosives Market
Research Insights: Ammunition Supply Chain Challenges in 2025
Explosives Market Outlook Report 2025-2034
Mining Explosives 2025: Innovations & Safer Blasting