• OPERATIONS
With over four decades of successful innovation fuelling its growth , South Africa-based blasting , and explosives company BME continues to leverage digital technology in advancing its productivity solutions for mining customers .
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member of the JSE-listed Omnia Group , BME has technology offerings across the blast cycle – from design and planning to initiation and analysis .
According to D . Scott Scovira , BME ’ s global manager for Blasting Science , by using the powerful Blastmap blast design software , for instance , mines can achieve optimal rock fragmentation to make their loading and comminution functions more economical .
“ The software also adds value in understanding and managing burden relief times . BME is continuously improving its Axxis electronic detonation systems for this technology to further enhance safety and productivity on mines ,” says Scovira .
The system allows the downloading of blasthole firing times from Blastmap into the Axxis Logger – for quick and reliable detonator programming . Data from the Axxis Logger can be analysed after the blast to ensure that the actual initiation matched the blast design .
Breaking records Axxis has been used to initiate large scale blasts , with a leading copper mine in southern Africa recently initiating 7 401 electronic delay detonators ( EDDs ) in a single blast using the system . Larger blasts mean fewer pit stoppages and higher productivity . The latest version of the system – Axxis Titanium – is due to be released to the global market this year .
“ This version is set to be one of the most advanced digital initiation systems in the world ,” says Tinus Brits , BME ’ s global product manager for Axxis .
Axxis Titanium boasts a unique three-in-one blasting box that can be configured as a controller , blaster and as a repeater . More boxes can be easily linked , as well as many more detonators – to improve efficiencies in blasting and saving time and cost for customers .
“ The system speeds up the logging process allowing on-bench logging and testing of up to 500 detonators ,” says Brits .
30 • African Mining • June 2021 www . africanmining . co . za