EXPLOSIVES & BLASTING
testing a protype battery-electric MPU expected to have a performance comparable to conventional diesel-powered options .
“ We expect our renewable powered DYNOBULK ® Electric to be well received by customers ,” he added . “ Following our scheduled in-mine testing , we will look to commercialise the DYNOBULK Electric fleet as quickly as possible .” Lusk said Dyno Nobel has also developed sustainable bulk emulsions across the company , while conventional diesel can be substituted for renewable fuel sources in its bulk products . “ These fuels lower the Scope 1 emissions for our customers ( from the detonation of our explosives ),” he explained . “ More broadly , we are acting to lower Dyno Nobel ’ s greenhouse gas emissions focusing on the ammonium nitrate manufacturing process as part of the bulk product value chain .”
The increasing use of Dyno Nobel ’ s DIFFERENTIAL ENERGY ® ( ΔE ® ) is also helping here , providing customers with environmental , as well as production , benefits .
DIFFERENTIAL ENERGY provides the ability to vary emulsion density from hole to hole , as well as vertically within each individual blasthole so that explosive energy is targeted to where it is needed . The efficiencies generated using DIFFERENTIAL ENERGY reduce both overall mining costs and emission volumes for customers , according to the company .
Earlier this year , Dyno Nobel opened a nitrous oxide abatement project at its Moranbah plant in Queensland . This project works by converting nitrous oxide emissions from manufacturing nitric acid to naturally occurring nitrogen and oxygen , removing more than 95 % of nitrous oxide emissions from the process of making explosives products for the mining industry , according to Dyno Nobel .
A similar project at Dyno Nobel ’ s Louisiana Missouri plant is set to be installed in 2025 .
Lusk concluded : “ We are also continuing to investigate alternate technologies to produce ammonia that may have a lower carbon manufacturing and lifecycle footprint .”
Growth and milestones for AECI Mining
AECI Mining is focused on solving specific customers problems through developing solutions and products that address the challenges of the global mining industry .
It recently grew its global reach with the acquisition of Dinaser , a prominent player in the explosives industry , which AECI says will bring valuable expertise and market presence , particularly in South America . The acquisition , executed through local entity AECI Mining Produtos Quimicos Ltda , includes 100 % ownership of Dinaser ’ s explosives distribution and storage facilities as well as operating licences in the mining states of Minas Gerais and Bahia .
The company already has existing reach in Brazil where it owns and operates a bulk emulsion and packaged explosives manufacturing plant , in São Paulo . It has also seen good growth in the South American metallurgical extraction chemicals market .
In addition to the Dinaser acquisition , AECI says it is actively exploring other regions and markets to further its global footprint .
In the Pacific region , AECI has marked a noteworthy achievement in its pursuit of sustainable international business expansion . It recently signed a contract with the operators of the Lihir gold mine for the establishment of a modular emulsion plant in Papua New Guinea .
This strategic move positions AECI to provide comprehensive blasting services , using its hot and reactive ground bulk products , along with purpose-built delivery systems and initiation systems . The research and development team successfully developed a new product , the S300 Volcano , tailored to meet the unique requirements of this customer .
“ The S300 Volcano , a unique emulsion developed through the collaboration between AECI and Lihir , represents a significant advancement in the mining industry ’ s approach to explosives and blasting operations ,” AECI says . “ This partnership has leveraged AECI ’ s extensive expertise in explosive technology and Lihir ’ s deep understanding of operational requirements to create a system that addresses some of the most challenging aspects of modern mining .”
The Lihir mine sits on volcanic ground , presenting challenges of extreme geothermal conditions . Through a collaborative approach , the AECI team developed a product that is safe , suitable and effective for application in such an environment .
In Zambia , meanwhile , the company recently completed a record-breaking 980 m Emulsion Vertical Drop System ( EVDS ) at Non-Ferrous China Africa ’ s Chambishi mine . This system has set a new benchmark for vertical emulsion delivery , showcasing AECI ’ s capability to push the boundaries of what is possible in the mining industry , it says .
The EVDS at Chambishi mine addresses several critical challenges associated with vertical emulsion delivery , including maintaining emulsion stability over long distances and ensuring consistent and precise delivery to the blast site . The EVDS also plays a significant role in Scope 3 emissions reduction , essentially contributing to ESG as part
of greener technologies and the drive to sustainability within the mining industry .
AECI ’ s IntelliShot ® system has the capability to initiate multiple bench commanders , taking the capacity up to 16,000 detonators . This application can generate much needed efficiencies by only using a short length of harness wire as opposed to the cost of a full lead-in line when non-electric blast initiation is applied in the same application , AECI explains .
In addition to saving on costly lead-in lines , remote firing through the IntelliShot system allows for ease of initiating larger blasts from safer distances that provide higher personnel safety during the blast window .
The use of advanced initiation system technologies , such as IntelliShot , provides peace of mind for the customers to ensure the mitigation of misfires .
Enaex ups the blasting precision
The introduction of new products , technologies and innovations represent some of the best ways to achieving key performance indicators for new clients in the explosives and blasting space , according to Enaex Key Account Manager , Sebastian Catron .
Speaking to IM during the recent EXPONOR 2024 event in Antofagasta , Chile , Catron provided details of two of the Chile-based explosives giant ’ s latest innovations , both of which are in the field of emulsions .
“ The first one is related to wall control and slope stability – that is being able to more precisely create steeper walls as well as limiting
AECI Mining recently completed a recordbreaking 980 m Emulsion Vertical Drop System at Non-Ferrous China Africa ’ s Chambishi mine , in Zambia
68 International Mining | AUGUST 2024