Dyno Nobel recently implemented the DigiShot Plus Electronic Initiation System at two different underground mines—producing results that increased productivity, improved safety and decreased overall production costs. DigiShot Plus has a rugged downline wire and is designed for large blasts for both surface and underground mines. It can fire up to 7,200 detonators in surface applications and can be fired remotely from the surface in underground mines.

The two underground mines were trying to improve overall productivity using a large blast system with a tough downline wire. One of the mines experienced a 5% reduction in cost because DigiShot Plus improved fragmentation and eliminated the need to re-blast oversize material. At the same mine the larger blasts also allowed it to benefit from reduction in set-up time by 10–15%. This was accomplished because of less frequent blasting, resulting in less downtime in preparation and the early removal of personnel for blasting purposes. The mine was able to use its production crews more efficiently. The other mine increased its tons per blast by 100%, while also achieving a 50% reduction in mucking time.