A method and apparatus for controlling a blasting operation using blast control equipment to initiate a plurality of detonators at a blast site. According to the method, the full use of the blast control equipment is inhibited, a validation process on information is conducted, and, if the information is validated, at least partial use of the blast control equipment is enabled. The blasting system includes at least one installation of blast control equipment and a plurality of detonators that are configured to be initiated by the blast control equipment, a control facility, and a transmitter for transmitting an enabling signal to at least one selected installation which allows the blast control equipment at the selected installation to initiate the plurality of detonators.