Modern Mining January 2022

COVER STORY

“The key logger is an important safety feature of the AXXIS Titanium System. It is the only control device that allows the blast to be fired, thus giving the overall control to the blaster. It controls the entire process, from testing through to detonation and charging of capacitors,” explains Brits. Additionally, the incorporation of a Swiss- designed application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip in the BME detonators delivers added benefits. These include further refinements in safety, accuracy, flexibility, ease of use and speed in prepar- ing each blast. Efficiency matters Blasting by its nature has a substantial economic effect on mining projects. A poor blast result usually means sub-optimal fragmentation and tight muck- piles. This slows the entire downstream processes, from loading through to crushing. With that in mind, BME paid special attention to blast efficiency when designing the AXXIS Titanium system. Performance is raised through the increased blast duration per detonator, more units per blasting box and precise firing. The accuracy of the detonator, explains Brits, has been enhanced, reaching 0,025% firing accuracy for consistent and quality blasting that results in better rock fragmentation and consis- tency. This has a positive impact on the efficiency of downstream processes such as load and haul, as well as crushing. The ASIC chip boasts more memory and process- ing speed, facilitating easier timing and centralised

programming if the timing needs to be changed after being conducted on the bench. It also achieves lower power consumption with the incorporation of dual capacitors – so more detonators can be initi- ated per blast. The system can now manage 1 000 detonators per blasting box, doubling the capability of the previous generation. Brits also notes that up to 20 blasting boxes can be linked and synchronised through hard wiring, enabling the possibility of initiating up to 20 000 electronic detonators in a single blast. “AXXIS has been proven in some of the largest mining blasts on record, giving mines the opportu- nity to conduct fewer blasts, thus reducing downtime due to pit closures. The ultra-low energy micro-chip is also less susceptible to leakage and cable resis- tance and extends the firing time to a maximum of 35 seconds.” The programmability of 35 seconds with 1 mil- lisecond intervals allows for blast designs to be precision-designed, resulting in improved fragmen- tation and consistency of blasts. The ease of use and on-bench logging is among the key benefits of AXXIS Titanium, says Brits, highlighting the one-step logging and testing of det- onators, as well as the simple fault-finding and quick corrections on the blast pattern as groundbreaking. “Everything is built into the logger, which can now do the programming, scanning and testing. The market appreciates the speed at which you can now fire a blast; after the detonators have been pro- grammed, you can start up the controller from the

The AXXIS Titanium system was built for the blaster and blast engineers who work with the product every day. Pictured from left to right are Andries Posthumus, product development manager, Tinus Brits, BME’s global product manager for AXXIS and Hennie du Preez, BME’s manager AXXIS Support.

14  MODERN MINING  January 2022