EXPLOSIVES & BLASTING
“ As such , one of these feature upgrades and solutions in our roadmap includes alternate electronic initiation solutions , which is not limited to just a wireless initiation system ,” he said .
BME Managing Director , Ralf Hennecke , added to this saying that the company is already working on bringing new updates to the market outside of AXXIS Titanium and AXXIS Silver .
“ This is the same approach that we take with all product categories ; for example , we have recently released a new version of our popular XPLOLOG system for capturing and analysing data on blast holes and decks ,” he said . “ XPLOLOG allows mines to monitor their block progress in real time and to continuously improve the quality of blasts . The performance of this version is enhanced with design and application code built from the ground up , and with a new and upgraded database using Google ’ s Cloud Services .”
More generally , BME ’ s R & D is underpinned by the foundation of safety , a secure supply chain and a focus on sustainable production through rolling out renewable energy generation at its facilities .
When it comes to the ongoing safety of its products , Hennecke was keen to go back to the properties of the company ’ s AXXIS Titanium platform for a reference case .
“ Safety in blasting has less to do with automation , and more to do with strict safety protocols supported by the best technology available ,” he said . “ For example , our latest generation of AXXIS Titanium once again raises the safety bar by incorporating a Swiss-designed application-specific integrated circuit chip in our detonators . This gives the system more internal safety gates against stray current and lightning , enhancing safety levels and allowing for inherently safe logging and testing .”
The company ’ s digital technology also allows for more controlled blasting , which prevents risks like vibration and fly-rock .
“ Electronic initiation , for instance , staggers the energy release of a blast – and lower charge mass per delay can lead to lower vibration levels ,” Henneke said .
The integration of more controlled blasting , sophisticated blast design software – like BLASTMAP™ – and the introduction of a global online technical services and solutions platform to enable explosives users to consult with experienced explosive engineering professionals is also helping BME ’ s clients quantify and keep track of the downstream impacts of its upstream blasting processes .
Hennecke said : “ This technology plays a role not just in planning and initiating blasts , but in assessing how well a blast plan was executed . Measurement techniques include real-time tracking of emulsion volumes being pumped into blast holes , to the use of drones , 3D photography and global positioning systems to profile blast results .”
This is also translating to a reduction in upfront costs for clients , according to Hariparsad , with machine-learning algorithms interpreting data for optimisation opportunities .
Machine learning and artificial intelligence also come into the company ’ s automation efforts where solutions such as XPLOLOG and XPLOCHARGE™ can automate aspects of blast hole charging , including the real-time tracking of emulsion volumes being pumped on the bench by smart trucks .
Hariparsad explained : “ These volumes are monitored by on-vehicle equipment , which compares the planned volumes with the actual volumes required . This data can then be transmitted wirelessly to be stored and analysed in cloud platforms .”
Smart trucks , or ‘ Smart MMUs ’, are viewed as a way of removing people from the bench and distributing accurate and tailored explosive solutions to individual blast holes .
BME ’ s concept of a ‘ Smart MMU ’ is aligned with its strategy of delivering innovating technologies that position the business to deliver global mining solutions , according to Hariparsad .
“ They are designed to capture data , monitor product information and record delivery of bulk emulsion according to defined chemistries and
Alerts
the operator to people or objects in blind spots or travel path
• Camera-based system – no tags required
• Easy addition to your haulage safety program
• Minimal nuisance alerts
• Cloud data reporting