Blasting And The Power Of Positive Disruption

As the Investing in African Mining Indaba kicks off in 2024, the event’s theme of “positive disruption” could not be more appropriate for the new directions being forged in the field of mine blasting and explosives. 

According to Ralf Hennecke, managing director of Omnia group company BME, mining has been facing the same winds of change that are impacting other sectors of the global economy, but has not just been adapting to new demands. Rather, the sector has been applying technologies that are taking safety and productivity to new levels. 

“From our perspective as mining technology partners, BME can certainly attest to how mines are ‘embracing the power of positive disruption’,” says Hennecke. “We have no doubt that this is a critical element of African mining’s bold new future.”

For example, he notes that in blasting, good rock fragmentation is key to unlocking the early-stage efficiencies on mines. This is doubly significant, because the loading, hauling and comminution phases that follow are among the mine’s most energy-intensive. Making these processes smoother means that less energy is consumed, cutting costs and reducing the operation’s carbon footprint.

“It has been a long journey towards improving fragmentation. BME entered the SA market in 1984 as a pioneer in cold emulsion explosives, and what followed was decades of investment in emulsion technology and a range of electronic and digital solutions – as well as equipment and accessories.”

Electronic detonation and safer blasting

One of BME’s most valuable lines of development during this time was that of electronic detonation, which continues to enhance blasting outcomes through its safety, accuracy, reliability and flexibility. 

“By allowing millisecond delays between detonations, and by lengthening the firing window, mines are now able to design increasingly intricate blasts to suit specific geological conditions and production requirements. Mines have also been able to initiate ever larger blasts, thereby limiting their pit disruptions and blast-related downtime,” he says. 

“Underpinning this capability is BME’s own electronic initiation system, AXXIS, while software too has been central to the positive disruption in the blasting space, particularly in respect of the planning of blasts. Today, mines can use blast planning programs like BME’s Blastmap to prepare each blast to the finest detail of complexity – then even simulate the results.” 

A non-negotiable in Africa’s mines is the prerogative of safety, which is why BME’s flagship AXXIS Titanium system allows testing to be conducted at a lower voltage than detonation. A member of Safex – the international explosives industry body, BME applies the highest standards across all operations, something reflected in its zero recordable case rate.

“As a blasting pioneer in Africa, BME was the first explosives company to be licensed in countries like Mauritania and Sierra Leone. Its experience meant it could assist government authorities there in drafting legislation that would pave the way for the responsible application of explosives,” says Hennecke.

Innovation in blasting

While supporting the sector’s drive towards lower carbon emissions, it has also been vital to protect the environment in every way possible. Where innovatively applied, he explains, these efforts should also lead to positive social impacts – a key element of the environmental, social and governance priorities that are growing in importance. 

“BME has managed such an achievement with our used oil initiative. By systematically and responsibly collecting used oil from customers and other sources, we remove this hazardous substance from the economy and prevent possible contamination of water and land. Furthermore, by embracing the circular economy approach, BME treats and reuses this oil as a fuel agent in its quality emulsions, ensuring that it is safely disposed of during high-energy blasts.”

The company has further designed the collection network to include small businesses in local economies around mines, he says. “This assists the social responsibility efforts of mines, as they work towards promoting economic diversity and livelihood resilience in their host communities.”

Bold future

To support the global move towards lower emissions, BME’s parent company, Omnia Holdings, has entered into a partnership with Swedish-based Hypex Bio Explosives Technology, which is at the forefront of innovative and sustainable civil explosives solutions.

“Hypex Bio has developed a groundbreaking emulsion using hydrogen peroxide. This first-to-market non-nitrate explosive emulsion reduces the carbon content of blasting by 90% over traditional sources. This technology has the potential to completely change the explosives supply industry,” says Seelan Gobalsamy, CEO of Omnia.

It is well accepted that the bold new future for African mining cannot be business as usual, suggests Hennecke. While BME’s success is rooted in an operational foundation of secure supply chains and reliable delivery to customers across the continent, the company also embraces the need for innovation and change.

“With Africa as its base, BME demonstrates what the continent has to offer other mining regions of the world. Africa is responding actively to the revitalised search for minerals critical to the energy transition, and can leverage a more sustainable future from these new blasting processes,” he says.