From concept to underground trials – Epiroc and Orica’s fully mechanised development charging system, Avatel™, has entered Factory Acceptance Testing. Verification and validation is taking place at Epiroc’s Kvantorp underground test mine in Sweden. It includes booms and navigation testing for accurate and efficient explosives charging.
Avatel is the world’s first prototype of a fully mechanised development charging system. It includes Orica’s HandiLoader™ emulsion process body, Epiroc’s M2C carrier and RCS 5 control system, working with Orica’s LOADPlus™ control system and WebGen™ 200 encoding system and automated WebGen magazine. Epiroc has also incorporated an onboard dewatering and lifter debris clearing system.
Leveraging Orica’s WebGen™ wireless initiating system, Avatel™ eliminates the need for traditional tie-ins and other physical wired connections from the charging cycle. Orica states: “This first-of-its-kind innovation enables a single operator to prepare and charge explosives from the safety of an enclosed cabin, several metres from the face and out of harm’s way. Combined with Orica’s LOADPlus™ smart control system and Subtek™ Control bulk emulsion, customers can enjoy complete and repeatable control over blast energy from design through to execution.” It also uses Orica’s ShotPlus™ intelligent blast design software.
Epiroc states: “Built on the foundation of Epiroc’s proven Boomer M2 carrier and integrated with Orica’s latest explosives technology, Avatel™ is a twin boom, semi-autonomous and fully mechanised development charging solution that allows a single operator to complete the entire charging cycle from the safety of Epiroc’s enclosed ROPS and FOPS certified cabin. Avatel™ is equipped with the most sophisticated version of Epiroc’s acclaimed Rig Control System (version 5), through its intuitive interface with a large touchscreen and dual multifunctional joysticks, combined with Epiroc´s computer assisted boom positioning features, it will be easily handled.”
The advanced and robust feed design of Avatel™ builds on Epiroc’s solid application design experience, further adapted to match conditions this new solution will face. Future developments can be extended to other Epiroc carriers including battery driveline. Other key advantages include flexibility at the face through Epiroc´s dual diesel/electric plug in power solution.
Avatel™ is the result of a partnership between Epiroc and Orica – the largest provider of commercial explosives and advanced blasting systems. “In this collaboration we have combined Orica’s expertise with Epiroc’s technologies and innovations as a leading provider for the mining and infrastructure industries. By combining our strengths we are now able to deliver exactly what the industry and our customers have been seeking – a solution that improves safety and combines the individual tasks of drilling, charging and blasting into one seamless process.”