Archives: Explosives and blasting

Orica and Fertiberia have partnered to successfully execute the first blast using low-carbon Technical Ammonium Nitrate (TAN) at the Canteras de Santullán calcium carbonate quarry in Spain. This milestone follows the announcement in September 2023, where Orica and Fertiberia unveiled their collaboration to provide low-carbon TAN to customers seeking sustainable blasting solutions. For the blast[…]

Epiroc has announced the inauguration of its new Competency Center for Surface Mining in Tucson, Arizona. It said this milestone marks a significant strategic advancement for Epiroc USA, as it includes the establishment of a state-of-the-art 28,000 square foot Rebuild Center to provide advanced support for surface mining customers, thereby fostering business growth in the[…]

Orica is set to expand its lead-free Non Primary Explosives Detonator (NPED) technology to manufacture what it says is the world’s first lead-free electronic blasting system range at its plant in Gyttorp, Sweden. This follows the successful introduction last year of the world’s first fully lead-free non-electric detonator range, Exel™ Neo, with early adopters reaping[…]

Leading Caterpillar dealer WesTrac has joined long-term customer and leading global mining contractor Thiess in celebrating an autonomous drilling record set at BHP’s Mt Arthur South coal operation in New South Wales where Thiess supplies a full range of mining services. The milestone of one million metres drilled autonomously was reached last month using a[…]

Ausdrill is bringing One Touch drilling to its Rock Commander blasthole fleet, in the process creating a future where drilling can be optimised for efficiency and precision with minimal manual intervention. The company, part of Perenti, said the innovative technology is set to transform the way it drills, and the way its operators work. With[…]

Epiroc says its SmartROC C50 will now be available with a choice of two feeds, the standard feed or a long feed, allowing the drill rig to deliver even more metres per shift. This rig combines high penetration rates with superior hole quality – even in the most challenging conditions, the company claims. The long[…]

The development of tunnels is one of the main challenges in underground operations. In unstable ground conditions, most fortification methods are applied post-advancement. These traditional methods, such as anchors and mesh, can be limited when the ground is severely altered, and progress cannot be made. The risks of gallery over-excavation and rock bursts are too[…]

Having actively built its foundation in the Australian mining market over the past decade, global blasting and explosives specialist BME says it is ramping up its footprint and capability with facilities in the west of the country. These expansions represent a key aspect of the company’s strategic direction, according to BME Managing Director, Ralf Hennecke.[…]

Boliden says it has become the first mining operator to sign an agreement for the production and delivery of a newly developed explosive from Hypex Bio with significantly improved environmental and climate performance. In the process, the company’s need for nitrogen treatment of water is being reduced and its climate performance is improving by around[…]

Jevons Robotics can now deliver explosives or stemming via its ARTEV6000 product using RCT’s remote control set either via line-of-sight or teleremote control, RCT reports. Implementing this technology has eliminated the need for personnel to conduct quality assurance or load the blast holes manually, removing exposure hours associated with highwalls, cavities and fatigue. The company[…]