IM August 2026 | Page 55

EXPLOSIVES AND BLASTING audit, Orica said, with data typically captured after the fact, limiting timely decision making and making it challenging to aggregate and analyse performance trends.

This is where digital solutions like BlastIQ Underground can“ streamline and standardise” these processes, according to Clayton, enabling digital monitoring of compliance to design that provides engineers with greater control and visibility over blast quality.“ BlastIQ Underground also improves productivity through digital design sharing and adaptive charging plans and delivers near real-time visibility of preparation and charging activities,” she said, adding that cloud-based data storage further enhances auditability and continuous optimisation.

To record all drilling, hole preparation and loading activities at Chelopech, BlastIQ

The AECI-Thiess partnership combines AECI’ s expertise in explosives and initiating systems with Thiess’ large-scale operational capability to improve blast performance, strengthen safety systems and manage complex ground conditions

Mobile devices were deployed across the entire fleet of underground production drills and to the production shotfirers.

Orica explained:“ A reduction in the reliance on paper was achieved by using the BlastIQ document storage functionality. This allows operators to access critical design documentation in the field and eliminates the need for printed paper copies. This documentation is version-controlled, and updated designs can be wirelessly pushed to the tablets in seconds over the mine network.”

The mine-wide Wi-Fi coverage enabled the BlastIQ Mobile devices to remain connected and continuously push operator recordings to the BlastIQ servers. This resulted in the DPM team having access to live, hole-by-hole data on drilling, hole preparation and loading activities. Underground operators always had full access to not only their task, but to all active drill and blast plans in the system, giving the team greater operational flexibility and awareness.

Using the BlastIQ Underground desktop application and web portal enabled the engineering team to track design progress and quickly isolate areas of concern for field rectification.

Finally, the DPM SMART Centre team were able to connect BlastIQ API endpoints

IN EVERY BLAST. PREDICTABLE OUTCOMES.

BME’ s AXXIS™ range – Silver, Titanium, and CEBS – delivers worldclass electronic initiation trusted by mines across five continents.

Built for precision, safety, and sustainability, AXXIS™ empowers engineers and blasters to achieve consistent, high-performance blasts – even in the most demanding conditions.