As part of the Trans-Australia Seismic [Refraction] Survey (TASS) conducted during 1972 by the Bureau of Mineral Resources, Geology and Geophysics of the Commonwealth of Australia (BMR), approximately 82 t of explosive was instantaneously detonated by SADM within the plugged underground workings of the abandoned old Mount Fitton South copper mine on 25/10/1972, at 10-30 am Central Standard Time. The intent of this exercise was to provide a controlled source large energy release for recording the refractive seismic wave response of velocity discontinuities thought to exist at the base of the Earth crust and within the upper mantle beneath the Australian continent. The particular South Australian blast site used was chosen by BMR from several offered because it was in a remote, sparsely populated locality, and because the geological setting within a granite pluton and the means and depth of access were preferred. The SADM Mining Branch was involved at Mount Fitton South over the period May to November 1972 in completing pre- and post-blast site works and then with installing the large explosive charge, before finally setting it off to plan. Prior to making the explosion, BMR had calculated that the amount of explosive to be used and its positioning within the mine void should theoretically be able to generate an induced equivalent earthquake shock of magnitude 5.1 on the Mercalli scale, which would enable seismic waves so produced to travel downwards to around 150 km or more beneath the Earth surface. In actuality, the blast energy in part escaped from the ground above the mine by blowing into the air the contents of a previously loosely backfilled large stope, and therefore the seismic signal propagation strength was not ideal. Nevertheless, complete charge detonation was obtained, and the explosion otherwise was a technical success.