Modern Mining January 2022

logging to avoid unplanned deto- nation. Tinus Brits, global product manager for AXXIS, explains that this is basically aimed at creating a sepa- rate line of communication for safe logging and testing of the detonator. Most other detonator systems in the market, he says, only use a single basis of safety. The lower voltage during logging and testing basically results in faster block preparation as blasters spend less time on fault finding and correct- ing errors on the pattern. “The dual capacitors ensure that less time is spent at the blasting point because all the potential pitfalls are sorted out during the lower voltage testing on the bench itself,” explains Brits. BME has also developed AXXIS Titanium to be resistant to electro-

magnetic pulses (EMPs) caused by the blast, which can affect the accuracy of detonators or even cause them to fail. The company’s intensive tests in con- junction with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) showed that its detonators can with- stand significant EMP without any impact on their timing. Underground blasting within confined spaces, notes Brits, makes detonators particularly suscep- tible to re-setting and misfiring due to voltages from EMP, as well as from dynamic pressures.

Over-moulding of all components on the electronic board protects the detonators against dynamic pres- sures, and isolates components from any induced ground currents such as electrostatic discharge and lightning strikes. Another safety feature of note is the triple redun- dant firing switch that ensures reliable and safe firing of the detonators. Every command is error-checked before it’s processed by the system. The blast com- mands have added reliability, thus preventing the risk of uncommanded initiation.

The commercialisation of AXXIS Titanium follows extensive laboratory and field testing in South Africa.

The development of AXXIS Titanium reflects BME’s continued focus on digital advancement on mines.

January 2022  MODERN MINING  13