Tag Archives: Hypex Bio

Boliden, Hypex Bio inaugurate Sweden’s first nitrate-free explosives facility

Boliden has announced the introduction of nitrate-free, low-carbon explosive, developed through a collaboration between the mining company and Hypex Bio Explosives Technology.

This new technology not only reduces the mining industry’s CO2 footprint but also eliminates nitrogen pollution in soil and water, setting a new standard for sustainable blasting, Boliden says.

Hypex Bio’s patented explosive is a major innovation in commercial blasting – one of the most significant advancements since Alfred Nobel’s invention of dynamite over 150 years ago, the miner claims.

Back in March, Boliden announced it had 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 400 t of CO2 per year, it explained.

On September 16, Boliden and Hypex Bio officially inaugurated Sweden’s first facility for manufacturing nitrate-free, climate-friendly explosives at the Kankberg mine outside Boliden.

This facility represents a new standard for the next generation of explosives, thanks to a successful partnership between the two Swedish companies committed to driving the future of sustainable and climate-resilient mining, both locally and globally.

“With a production capacity of 270 t per week, this explosive already exceeds Boliden’s current operational needs, marking a major leap in the green transition of mining operations,” Boliden says. “As we continue striving to become the world’s most climate-friendly metals supplier, this technology will play a vital role in reducing our environmental impact, both in Sweden and globally.”

Boliden to implement Hypex Bio climate-friendly explosives at Kankberg mine

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 400 t of CO2 per year, it says.

Peter Bergman, General Manager of the Boliden Area, said: “For us, it is important to be part of technology development in many areas and, when it is successful, we also want to be early with implementation. Together with the electrification of transport and other machines, this means another important step towards being able to conduct mining operations that are, in principle, fossil-free.”

The agreement with the Swedish explosives supplier Hypex Bio is for the production and delivery of nitrate-free and environmentally friendly explosives to Kankbergsgruvan, Boliden. Boliden and Hypex will cooperate on the production and delivery of nitrate-free and environmentally friendly explosives to the Kankberg mine, which includes the establishment of a production facility at the mine as well as a delivery and service agreement.

The supply and service agreement for Hypex’s explosives solution spans five years, starting in 2024. The production quantity is expected to amount to 400-450 t and, thus, largely meet the Kankberg mine’s annual needs. In addition to the fact that the explosive drastically reduces the need for nitrogen treatment of water, the climate impact is reduced by approximately 400 t of CO2 per year (Scope 3), Boliden added.

The collaboration between Hypex Bio and Boliden has been ongoing since 2020, where the nitrate-free explosive has been developed and tested in the Kankberg mine. The technology has proven to meet Boliden’s requirements for safety, performance, environment and reduced carbon dioxide emissions. Tests have also been carried out in the Garpenberg mine and are to be started in the Aitik copper mine, the company says.

Back in October, Omnia Holdings announced a strategic partnership with Hypex Bio and the acquisition of a minority equity stake in the company.