EXPLOSIVES AND BLASTING
no longer uses ANFO . Dyno Nobel ’ s Differential Energy technology enabled the mine to redistribute the explosive energy in the blast hole , distributing the accurate amount of energy throughout the hole , varying the detonation pressure . This process reduced NOx , improved fragmentation , reduced oversize and hard toes and increased productivity while reducing overall costs .
MAXAM increases influence in Australia
As part of a broad tender for services and products , MAXAM Australia was recently selected as the sole provider of blasting solutions for Mt Carlton and Cowal gold mines , both managed by Evolution Mining , now Australia ’ s second biggest gold producer .
Mt Carlton , located approximately 130 km south of Townsville on the north-east coast of Australia , comprises two open pit zones : the main large gold dominant deposit and the smaller silver rich deposit . In operation since 2013 and expected to produce between 80,000 oz and 87,500 oz of gold this year , Mt Carlton is one of Evolution Mining ’ s key gold mines in the state of Queensland ( Australia ), where Evolution is the top gold producer . MAXAM will supply all blasting solutions for the next three ( with options to extend ) years , providing down the hole services by supplying its flagship RIOFLEX bulk explosive together with a complete range of RIONEL initiation systems .
Additionally , MAXAM is building a customised Mobile Service Unit ( MSU ) to specifically adapt to the site ’ s ‘ surface mining ’ conditions involving difficult terrain contours . To provide the best possible service , it has also built an on-site storage and reload facility to optimise performance and reduce service delivery time . Cowal gold mine , situated 350 km west of Sydney in the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri people on the south-east coast of Australia , began operations in 2005 . The mine is an open pit operation with production from a number of different faces within the single pit . Having produced 268,000 oz of gold in 2014 , Evolution acquired 100 % ownership of the Cowal project in 2015 and MAXAM Australia will be the sole supplier of blasting solutions for the Cowal gold mine for the next three years , providing its RIOFLEX bulk explosive together with a wide range of initiation systems and RIONEL products .
MAXAM has nine employees working on-site and will also provide support through the presence of MAXAM ’ s senior technical applications services designed to assist with blasting timing and product stewardship training . This site will also be equipped with a custombuilt RIOFLEX MSU to respond to Evolution ’ s needs more effectively .
Overall , MAXAM currently is the sole blasting solutions and services supplier for three of Evolution Mining ’ s seven gold mine operations in Australia : Mt Carlton , Cowal and also Edna May ( 350 km east of Perth ).
MAXAM said it is becoming an integrated provider of blasting solutions , “ principally by focusing on all-round energy optimisation systems – a structured process approach tailored to customer requirements in various markets . MAXAM ’ s proven experience carrying out similar projects within Australia and around the world – Worsley Alumina ( Western Australia ), Kanmantoo ( South Australia ), Hidden Valley ( PNG ), Tasiast ( Mauritania ), Oyu Tolgoi ( Mongolia ) or Polyus ( Russia ) - makes it a natural fit for Evolution Mining ’ s operations . With production plants located on all five continents , the MAXAM global logistics system strengthens the company ’ s ability to supply state-of-the-art products to meet a wide variety of challenges , while its in-house developed technology ensures conditions that are both safe and efficient .”
First launched in 1998 , RIOFLEX is MAXAM ’ s flagship explosive , developed with the company ’ s own in-house R & D – which it says is key to MAXAM ’ s technological independence . “ Thanks to its versatility and high energy , RIOFLEX has consistently delivered exceptional results for MAXAM ’ s clients worldwide . It ’ s effective in both cartridge and bulk formats , can be used in extreme dry or wet conditions and has the proven ability to be deployed across an extreme temperature range .”
MAXAM has been operating in Australia since 1988 , when one of its predecessor companies , ERT , acquired ETS , a small , local company . Today , MAXAM employs over 150 people in the country . “ Since its establishment in Australia , the company has supplied products and blasting services to large mining and extraction companies such as Holcim and Hanson , and has achieved a majority share in the quarry market , with key mining clients throughout the country . With its headquarters in Brisbane and production facilities in Bajool ( Queensland ) and Baldivis ( Western Australia ), MAXAM Australia provides
A successfully planned blast using BME ’ s AXXIS Electronic Detonator system
technical assistance services and products ( civil explosives and initiation systems ) to large mining and quarrying companies throughout Australia .”
Hanwha building influence on world stage
There are now some new entrants into the international mining explosives and blasting services sector such as South Korea ’ s Hanwha Corp , which believes it has the technical experience and corporate scale to take on the top players . Whilst not that well known yet on the international stage , by building on more than six decades of success of experience in commercial explosives in Korea and Asia , it is gaining footholds in the international market with its hybrid of Korean and international management . Hanwha has a lot of experience in detonator and high explosives manufacture , as well as packaged emulsion manufacture and latterly of bulk emulsions and down-the-hole services . Hanwha is supplying mining explosives services and distributing mining explosive products in Australia , Indonesia , Japan , Chile and Central America to date and plans to start operating in the US this year . The Head of Hanwha Mining Services , Patrick Kennedy told IM : “ we are gearing offers to meeting customer ’ s needs , particularly in light of the tough commodity conditions , which are flexible and fit for conditions .”
International Mining | AUGUST 2016