Modern Mining July 2024

COVER STORY

Executing a vision: Future-proofing mining with AECI’s bold strategy

As AECI celebrates its 100 th anniversary in 2024, Group CEO Holger Riemensperger has unveiled a bold new strategy focused on international expansion, digitisation, achieving net zero emissions, and prioritising mining as a key growth area. “We boast a century of being a registered business and 128 years of operational expertise,” Riemensperger says. “Our success stems from our commitment to innovative solutions and the dedication of our workforce. We excel due to our strong customer relationships and our ability to adapt to global changes.”

Future-proofing mining: sustainable explosives “In an era where the mining sector faces unprecedented challenges and opportunities, future-proofing mining operations has become essential to ensure long-term sustainability, efficiency, and profitability,” says Morne Stiglingh, Vice President - Innovations and Product Management at AECI Mining. “Based on this, AECI excels in developing customised solutions tailored to our customers’ specific needs. For instance, our Powergel X2 was developed for use in surface mining applications where hot blast holes, reactive ground, or a combination of both exists. The product is differentiated by the fact that most competitor products available in the market cater for either reactive ground or hot holes, but not both.” Developed and tested by some of the most dedicated and creative minds from AECI’s R&D team, its other key benefit includes eliminating the need to use plastic sleeving in reactive holes. Future-proofing mining: data-driven decision making AECI’s BlastHub represents a leap forward in how the business approaches blasting operations. By leveraging advanced analytics and accurate data, AECI can enhance productivity, optimise ore extraction, and extend the life of mines. BlastHub not only streamlines the blasting process but also empowers engineers to make data-driven decisions that meet and exceed customer expectations. Accurate records of blasting activities are crucial for future operations. They provide a valuable reference for designing future blasts and ensuring consistency and efficiency. Stiglingh emphasises the importance of this data: “BlastHub is an interface where AECI’s site-based experts can upload blast design information. It enables them to interrogate information from different sites for use in future blast designs.”

Smart technology for Smart operations.

A s it moves from strategising to execution, AECI is poised to solidify its role as a key partner in the mining industry, with a focus on assisting customers to future-proof their mining operations. “Our commitment to excellence and innovation ensures that we will support our clients every step of the way, driving the mining industry towards a more sustainable and technologically advanced future,” says Riemensperger. Future-proofing mining: autonomous innovation In collaboration with technology partner DetNet®, AECI has developed CyberDetTM I, a ground-breaking wireless detonator that brings advanced technological and safety efficiencies to established blasting techniques. This innovative through-the-earth technology is designed to enhance both surface and underground mining operations, with a future-focused approach that anticipates the growing role of autonomous mining. One of the major benefits of CyberDetTM I is the elimination of downline wires, commonly used in conventional electronic blasting. By removing these wires from the blasting process, CyberDetTM I allows operators to work in safer environments through significantly reducing the risk of accidents. Additionally, CyberDetTM I allows for seamless integration with their centralised blasting network BlastWeb®, enabling blasting from surface.

6  MODERN MINING  www.modernminingmagazine.co.za | JULY 2024