EXPLOSIVES & BLASTING
wireless blasting initiation solution to develop a new product with both underground and openpit applications .
WebGen 200 harnesses digital technology to allow advanced reprogramming and digital inventory management , offering mine operations an integrated user interface with improved quality assurance , according to Adam Mooney , Vice President of Blasting Technology for Orica .
“ Built with customers ’ needs and feedback built in , encoding capabilities and enhanced security , the reliability of each blast is further improved with the new generation WebGen 200 system ,” he told IM , adding it has been designed to endure even greater shock resistance than WebGen 100 .
Mooney said WebGen 200 ’ s development will support further “ innovative and more complex mining operations ”, enabling the first stages of automating underground development charging . This is evidenced through the successful progression of Orica and Epiroc ’ s fully mechanised development charging system , Avatel™ . This system , currently undergoing factory acceptance testing in Sweden , could move to mine site trials in 2022 .
“ WebGen 200 will come in four product variants and will open new markets , applications and opportunities , including the large volume surface market ; continuing our commitment to creating safer , more productive operations for our customers ,” Mooney said .
The development program for WebGen 200 is progressing to plan with further tests and field trials to be conducted across multiple market segments in Australia , Canada , Chile and Europe from July , according to Mooney .
“ The commercially-ready solution , expected in late 2021 , will include feedback on enhancements to the product and firing system from our extensive testing and consultations with our customers ,” he said .
Ahead of the upcoming wireless initiation launch , Orica has released its Fortis™ Protect bulk explosive system as part of an overall risk management approach . This will help customers operating in difficult conditions minimise the potential for nitrate leaching into ground water , the company said .
“ The product uses a combination of advanced surface chemistry in combination with increased viscosity to significantly improve the robustness of the product ,” Mooney explained .
Orica has already registered significant interest in the technology from Canada-based miners , and a major customer has recently commenced demonstration and measurement of the technology benefits .
“ Concerns around nitrates in ground water of operating mines is growing and the combination of best-in-class operational practices with Fortis
Protect is helping customers to minimise this risk without compromising explosive energy ,” Mooney said .
Sustainable blasting outcomes
South Africa ’ s BME is also looking to use realtime data for optimal blasting and improved decision making across the mining process .
This is where its next-generation MMUs and XPLOLOG™ blast data management system can help the sector , according to BME Managing Director , Joe Keenan .
“ Equipped with various monitoring technology and a connected device that provides the ability to transmit data in real time , BME ’ s smart trucks now track and measure key performance indicators such as total tonnes pumped , breaking this captured data down into kilograms pumped per hole ,” he told IM .
BME is working with a third-party technology provider to integrate the vendor ’ s blast data management system into its XPLOLOG system . XPLOLOG gives customers a comprehensive summary of blast block progress online , including information on dipping , priming , charging , top up and stemming . This , the company says , gives managers the power to improve the quality of blast preparation – leading to better blasting results and more profitable mining .
The integration of the blast data management system into XPLOLOG will see data synchronised to a cloud-based database for real-time reporting and better decision making by mine management , according to Keenan .
“ Our goal with our smart trucks is to help to do this by feeding back information through XPLOLOG ,” he said . “ This allows the powder factor to be optimised alongside a reduction in explosives used , while better control over product volumes also improves safety .”
Such integration also unlocks the ability to
Changing the density of the emulsion product in the hole , depending on where more or less energy is required , is not only optimising blasting effectiveness but also promoting sustainability and safety , according to BME ’ s Joe Keenan
vary the energy distribution across the chosen blast hole .
Changing the density of the emulsion product in the hole , depending on where more or less energy is required , is not only optimising blasting effectiveness but also promoting sustainability and safety , according to Keenan .
“ This can even be applied in underground applications where low-emulsion density can help reduce overbreak , helping optimise hanging wall and side wall strata control ,” he said .
Taking it one step further , BME ’ s combination of software , digital tools and specialised products can also be leveraged to improve rock fragmentation and , as a result , reduce the energy mines consume in loading , hauling , crushing and milling of ore , according to Keenan .
As with all the company ’ s individual projects , it will match the solution to the characteristics and densities of the rock for an optimal result .
BME has many solutions for such customisation with its AXXIS™ advanced electronic blast initiation system and BLASTMAP™ blast planning software ( for surface and underground applications ) usually gaining most of the attention – usually linked with record blasts on the African continent .
Yet , the company has taken sustainability to a whole new level with its use of used oil in emulsion explosives .
The Omnia group company has been incorporating used oil into the emulsion mix for over three decades , making blasting greener while reducing environmental risk .
Keenan said BME recently expanded its used oil technology beyond South Africa into
98 International Mining | AUGUST 2021