Modern Mining April 2018

COVER STORY

Market-leading technology drives AEL’s latest initiating system

The IntelliShot™ electronic initiating system – AEL’s latest of- fering – has set a new technological benchmark to improve mining efficiencies through better blasting practices for the mining sector, according to Ashlin Pillay, Product Manager Electronic Initiation Systems at AEL Mining Services.

T he need for efficient mining is driving mining companies to re- invent their strategies and adopt agile planning and new operat- ing models that utilise innovative technologies to extract the most out of the pro- cess stream. “AEL intends not only to deliver superior initiating technology to the mining industry but also to provide tools within its systems to manage the blasting data in the pre and post-blasting stages to enhance blasting efficiencies,” says Pillay. The IntelliShot™ 4G detonator allows for the delay and location to be stored in the detonator during tagging which improves the program- ming speeds, up to seven times faster than previous systems, during the blast process. IntelliShot™ is the latest innovation in elec- tronic initiation and promises a fast and simple deployment method, along with autonomous detection and testing of detonators, and energy monitoring right up to the point of blasting, he says. “This removes all the uncertainty from the blasting environment, allowing the operator to pre-test the entire detonator network to ensure functionality according to the blast design and prevent unforeseen blast delays and outcomes.” By managing the uncertainty at blast time and effectively coordinating blasting frequency, it becomes possible to manage operation down- time, disruption and unforeseen disturbances caused by blasting activities. Large blast pat- terns or multiple benches can be blasted easily and safely due to the system’s unique market- leading capability of being able to initiate 16 000 detonators per blast. The IntelliShot™ detonator, a component of the system, is a fully programmable electronic detonator that can be tailored to fit all types of blasting operations. As mentioned the new 4G detonator allows for the delay and location to be stored in the detonator during tagging which

Ashlin Pillay, Product Manager Electronic Initiation Systems at AEL Mining Services. improves the programming speeds, during the blast process. Additional features include an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) with 15 times more memory for storing and tracking unique identification numbers. Another key element of the system, the multi-purpose IntelliShot™ Commander, can be used as a Bench Commander, Base Commander or a Repeater as and when the function is required. With a line-of-site of up to 3 km, the system has a long-range commu- nication capability which is further enhanced by a repeater functionality – giving the user a defined 6 km communication range allowing for improved safety at blast time. The IntelliShot™ Tagger is a unique hand- held device with a dual function: it allows the user to conduct on-bench activities such as tag- ging (which writes the delay and location to the detonator), while also carrying out the full functionality test and creates a blast interface to the Commanders during the blasting stage. This allows the Tagger not only to assist in detonator troubleshooting, but it can also record the GPS location of the detonator. Furthermore, it tests leakage, troubleshoots the bench, can

The IntelliShot™ detonator, a component of the system, is a fully programmable electronic detonator that can be tailored to fit all types

of blasting operations.

20  MODERN MINING  April 2018