Modern Mining December 2018

COVER STORY

controlled blasting can be considerable and at least one study suggests that poor blast out- comes can impact as much as 80 % of total mine processing costs. BlastIQ™ ensures that mines get the blast outcomes they expect and it will undoubtedly unlock considerable value for customers.” The next generation BlastIQ™, whose global release was announced in Australia on 1 October 2018, has already been extensively trialled and tested at key pilot sites around the world. Rather than a single product, it is a suite of technologies that can be deployed separately but which realise their full potential when used together. The information management component of the system provides a secure, centralised online location for users to collate and collaborate on data from across the drill and blast process. This accelerates planning, analysis and auditing of blast data to satisfy regulatory requirements. Optimised blast designs are developed using Orica’s market-leading SHOTPlus™ 3D design and modelling software. Evolved over 30 years, this advanced design tool can manage both simple and complex blast designs and initia- tion sequences. Blast designs can be viewed in spatial context, relative to neighbouring blasts and the mine landscape. Related mine infor- mation and blasting KPIs can be overlaid for rapid and enhanced insights, driving improve- ments in future blast designs and outcomes. Improved in-field blast quality control and assurance is achieved using the new BlastIQ™

BlastIQ™ integrates data and insights from digitally connected technologies across the drill and blast process.

is based) although offices are maintained in Accra in Ghana, Chambishi in Zambia (where Orica also manufactures), Lubumbashi in the DRC and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. The group places a high emphasis on skills transfer and maximisation of local employment and the Tanzanian operation, for example, is staffed 100 per cent by Tanzanian nationals. “In South Africa, Orica is mainly focused on the supply of innovative blasting systems,” notes Moodley. “In the rest of Africa, we pro- vide a full service to customers, whether they may be in open-pit or underground mining and whether they require bulk or packaged explo- sives. We bring in high quality ammonium nitrate in bagged form from overseas and use it to manufacture high quality emulsions at the point of use, which is generally on mine sites.” He adds that Orica is competitive across Africa because of its mastery of logistics. “We’re importing our raw material but so are many of our competitors. Our flexible global supply chain of manufacturing plants and supply alli- ances allows us to deliver in full, on time, no matter where our customers are in Africa, and at competitive prices.” Moodley anticipates that there will be a steady take up of BlastIQ™ throughout the African region. “The past several years have been tough for many mining companies, with the increasing pressure on production costs,” he states. “BlastIQ™ is one way in which they can focus on the total cost of mining and cut unit costs. The downstream impact of poorly

18  MODERN MINING  December 2018