The quest to raise productivity on mines is relying increasingly on technological innovation and pushing the boundaries of blasting science has therefore been a priority for explosives and blasting leader BME, a member of the JSE-listed Omnia group.
Mining sustainability can be enhanced considerably by quality blasting, according to D. Scott Scovira, BME’s Global Manager for Blasting Science. The company’s technology offerings apply across the blast cycle from design and planning to initiation and analysis. BME has also just launched its global on-line technical services and solutions platform, enabling explosives users to consult with experienced explosive engineering professionals.
“This service comes from BME’s in-house technical staff, and also from other recognised third-party specialists in blasting, mining and construction – with the aim of realising the best project outcomes for the client,” said Scovira. The initial on-line consultation to discuss and scope out a blasting project is free of charge, and the service is not limited to existing BME clients.
“Using our powerful BLASTMAP blast design software, mines can achieve optimal rock fragmentation to make their loading and comminution functions more economical,” he said. He also highlighted the value of BLASTMAP in understanding and managing burden relief times.
A pioneer with its AXXIS electronic detonation systems, BME has been continuously improving this technology for greater on-mine safety and productivity. The system allows the downloading of blasthole firing times from BLASTMAP into the AXXIS Logger – for quick and reliable detonator programming. Data from the AXXIS Logger can be analysed after the blast to ensure that the actual initiation matched the blast design.
In southern Africa, AXXIS has been used by the leading copper producers to initiate record-size blasts – with 7,401 electronic delay detonators (EDDs) involved in a recent record blast. The system has also been well received in mining markets like Australia, where it has initiated record blasts in the coal sector.
According to Tinus Brits, BME’s Global Product Manager for AXXIS, the latest version of the system – AXXIS TITANIUM – is due to be released to the global market this year. This version promises to be the most advanced electronic blast detonation system in the world, said Brits.
“We are conducting final trials and evaluations in South Africa, and these have been successful so far,” he said. AXXIS TITANIUM boasts a unique three-in-one blasting box that can be configured as a controller, blaster and as a repeater.
A larger number of boxes can be easily linked, as well as many more detonators – to improve efficiencies in blasting and saving time and cost for customers. The system speeds up the logging process allowing on-bench logging and testing of up to 500 detonators.
The integration of BME’s technology with mine-wide platforms is a vital element of supporting the mining sector’s ongoing productivity drive, said Christiaan Liebenberg, BME’s Software Product Manager.
“The digital age calls for increased collaboration between technology providers for integrated solutions,” said Liebenberg. “It also means that mines and their suppliers will need to work in closer partnerships to develop and apply the systems for increasingly automated mining.”
He emphasised that higher levels of business optimisation can be achieved through gathering and processing real-time data from all mining assets.
“A key focus of BME’s development with digital tools for blasting operations is to leverage the value of real-time data on mines,” he said. “On the blasting side, this means integrating blast data with the mine’s digital systems.”
About BME
BME, together with Protea Mining Chemicals forms the mining division within the Omnia Group, a JSE listed diversified provider of specialised chemical products and services used in the mining, agriculture and chemicals sectors.
Formed in 1984 on the strength of a new cold emulsion technology that has since become an industry standard, BME now offers cutting-edge products and services at every stage in the explosives supply chain and is a leading global manufacturer and supplier of explosives, related accessories and blasting services to the mining, quarrying and construction industries.
