Nanotechnology techniques may be used to influence,or establish,certain properties of materials such as the oxide coating on aluminum particles. It is shown how control of the melting of the coating on aluminum particles in a mining explosive helps control the split of the total energy released into shock energy,that supports the detonating shock wave and heave energy,that heaves the overburden off the ore body. By appropriately choosing the thermal characteristics of the coating on the aluminum particles the total energy may be split into the most advantageous proportions.