living in close proximity to the operation, sometimes as close as 150 to 400m, in contrast to a coal mine where they can be kilometres away. As blasting specialists, it is also easier for us to test new methods and equipment on quarries. The big miners blast nearly every day, which makes it difficult to test new methods and equipment. A quarry tends to blast only once a month or once every second month, so testing and adjusting blasting techniques are possible. This also makes training of blasting equipment easier. We have an excellent relationship with the quarry industry.
You will also join the Board of the Institute of Quarrying next year. What will your role entail? I am to formally take on the role of chairperson at the Institute in April 2017. We represent individual members of the quarry industry, and some of our main aims are to share learning around safety and health, as well as training current and future members. At the moment, the average age of our members is 48, so a big challenge in my capacity as chairperson would be to determine how to bring the youngsters in. Many experienced quarrying professionals are in their 50s and will go on early retirement. We will be losing those skills if we don’ t go on an active drive to attract young people to the industry. in mind that it will have an effect on the conventional quarrying market.
Secondly, the rise of electronic detonators has drastically improved blasting accuracy. We are now introducing new software programmes that allow us to calculate the frequency of blasting waves. Traditionally, on a detonator we fired a single hole; we are now going one step further and designing a blast according to the frequency thus reducing further the blasting impact on our neighbours. Electronic detonators have reduced the risk of damage to property, which remains one of quarry managers’ biggest technical challenges.
The control of blast frequency with electronic detonators is supported by the fact that we now have GPS technology installed in the new generation of electronics. We can identify, in space and time, exactly where the detonator is and that helps tremendously. With GPS, you have detailed information, down to the exact depth of the hole, so you can make accurate estimates. Prior, we didn’ t know exactly where the detonators were situated. GPS also enables us to have a 3-D view of the entire operation, which is linking nicely with drones.
With drones, you can now completely digitise the surface of the quarry. You could take an aerial video or picture and determine exactly where the holes are in relation to the face. Drones will play an integral part in improving quarrying safety by preventing unplanned face movement and the potential of flyrock. The trend is that new technology is bringing operations alive in 3D. Globally, the world is moving towards legally enforcing these technologies— many blasts today have to be co-ordinated by making use of drones, for example.
Are some quarries in South Africa applying drone technology? Yes, a few are using it already and it is reportedly a great tool, especially if you have many people on the doorstep.
What strategies have the Institute identified to bring young blood into the system? Many youngsters are not interested in the practical aspects of quarrying; they look at desk jobs such as finances and business degrees instead. We are trying to bring young minds into the industry to offer new thinking outside of the box. At AEL we have encouraged them to visit our factory to get them interested in explosives and give them a hands-on experience of how interesting and challenging blasting could be as a discipline. We also aim to strengthen our link with the Engineering Council of South Africa( ECSA) to streamline the process of standardising qualifications and continued professional development.
Top view design
What are some of the key trends that you are witnessing in the industry? The international trend is in recycling. The push around the world is to reuse building rubble, which, in effect, reduces the percentage of virgin stones. In South Africa, we have to get our heads around that. We tend to tear things down and dump it at a landfill. We should be asking the question of how do we recycle the rubble, bearing
Profile sectional view
32 _ QUARRY SA | JANUARY 2017