Modern Mining April 2018

COVER STORY

test up to 400 detonators at a time, and has excellent battery management technology. “We are able to put the whole blast design onto the Tagger, which can then be taken to the bench and connected to each detonator,” says Pillay. He highlights that in both its func- tions – as a tagging device and as an interface to the Blast Commander itself – the Tagger is inherently safe. “It will not initiate a blast as the detonator requires a blast command before the blast sequence is activated,” he says. “The IntelliShot™ control equipment has a num- ber of inherent safety protocols built into the software and hardware to prevent unintended initiations taking place on the bench.” The system offers three tagging methods that allow for greater flexibility in user preference – catering from simple blast designs with fixed delay formats to complex blast designs utilising survey coordinates. Due to the advanced safety features of the IntelliShot™ system, the risk of unintended initiations has been significantly mitigated. The system software offers additional flex- ibility by enabling the use of a tablet as an optional control instrument to connect wire- lessly to the Bench Commander. Featuring a full-colour graphic user interface, the informa- tion is displayed in larger format – making it more readable. Additional benefits include being able to download the full detonator list and being able to access the full blast design with a comprehensive view. This allows the user to apply quick edits to the blast plan sim- ulation. Password protected BlastCards store encrypted blast commands and RF settings which use Near Field Communication (NFC) to aim and fire remotely from the Bench and/or Base Commander. According to Johann Smit, Director Marketing & Supply Chain at technology devel- opment house DetNet – which supplies AEL with the IntelliShot™ componentry as part of a global strategic partnership – the applica- tion of this latest technology has resulted in improved fragmentation and loading, which are vital aspects of more efficient and sustain- able mining. Smit also emphasises the importance of the company’s blast design software ViewShot ® 3D, designed by DetNet and endorsed by AEL, to explore efficient avenues in spatial techniques for blast design. “Blast design management is an integral part of efficient mining practices and the lat- est ViewShot ® 3D makes this process easy and efficient,” he says. “You can now create optimal blast designs with a market-leading software

tool capable of complete design, planning and analysis of your blast. The blast design can be wirelessly transferred onto the Tagger. ViewShot ® 3D offers a number of unique fea- tures, including the ability to calculate the energy map distribution, optimise delays, pre- dict fragmentation and even use animation to simulate blast timing. By integrating ViewShot ® 3D with the IntelliShot™ system, users can deliver precision blasting and ensure unpar- alled safety during blasting operations. Pillay concludes that AEL is gearing up to be an influential participant in the technology transformation in mining, now made possible by the digital revolution. “Our role at the forefront of delivering cut- ting-edge technology to the mining industry allows us to continuously reshape the mining landscape with our numerous offerings,” says Pillay. “With our latest contribution to the elec- tronic initiation sector, AEL will continue to be an enabler towards the next phase of the digital horizon in mining.” Through their IntelliBlast™ value proposi- tion, AEL offers a holistic and flexible approach to achieve optimal blast outcomes using their differentiated products and services. 

The IntelliShot™ Com- mander and the hand-held IntelliShot™ Tagger.

April 2018  MODERN MINING  21