MAXAM is to supply its high-energy bulk explosive, RIOFLEX, alongside other solutions, to the Glencore-operated Lomas Bayas mine, in Chile, as part of a blasting services contract.

The Lomas Bayas open-pit copper mine is in northern Chile and produces copper cathode on site. In the first half of 2019, Lomas Bayas produced 40,000 t of copper metal, up from 33,800 t a year earlier, Glencore said.

MAXAM said: “With this contract, MAXAM continues to expand its operations and global presence, and currently has more than 80 industrial facilities, subsidiaries in more than 50 countries on five continents and 6,500 employees worldwide.

“In fact, MAXAM is the second largest operator of blasting solutions for mining, quarries and infrastructure in terms of international presence.”

RIOFLEX is a highly energetic, robust and flexible density bulk product that, MAXAM says, achieves excellent performance in all types of rock. It has been tested in more than 140 sites in 25 countries.

Diego Rodríguez, Regional Director of MAXAM in Latin America, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with Minera Lomas Bayas and offer our innovative solutions in the operation. At every operation, our clients always highlight our closeness and experience, contributing to improve their efficiency and productivity, something that we will undoubtedly also deliver in Lomas Bayas.”