Modern Quarrying Jan-Feb 2018

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

New world record blast for BME

T he blast was conducted on 29 September 2017 in the main pit of Kansanshi Mine, which is the largest copper mine in Africa by copper produc- tion, and involved 6 690 electronic delay detonators (EDDs) – successfully initi- ated using BME’s AXXIS digital initiation system. According to Wayde de Bruin, area manager for BME Zambia, all the holes were single-primed, with a set-up that included nine different shots, 18 slave blasting boxes and one master box. He says the blast moved approxi- mately 455 000 bank cubic metres (BCMs) and consumed a total of 400 t of emulsion explosives – yielding an overall average powder factor of 0,9 kg/m 3 , adding that the blasts were offset to keep the mass charge per delay to a minimum. Kansanshi operation, 80% owned by First QuantumMinerals Limited in North-Western Zambia. Blasting and explosives leader BME has broken the world record for the most electronic detonators fired in a single blast – this time in conjunction with its client Kansanshi Mining PLC at the

Block preparation for the AXXIS record blast.

In the latest blast, a seven-member crew logged and tested the blocks over a period of two days – pre-charging the shots on 20 September 2017 and com- pleting on 28 September 2017. Electronic initiation is becoming increasingly popular due to the reliability, accuracy and timing-flexibility of these devices, making blasting practice more predictable and allowing for larger and more cost-effective blasts. www.bme.co.za

“The highest timing recorded on this blast was 6 520 milliseconds.” BME’s AXXIS global product manager Tinus Brits, highlights the company’s technical ability to continually push the boundaries through its innovations and in-house research capacity: “This blast follows previous records that BME has achieved in the past with our EDDs. Just two years ago at Kansanshi, we set an in-house record with 4 141 EDDs in a sin- gle blast,” he says.

Hillhead’s Main Pavilion sold out With five still to go until Hillhead 2018 opens its doors in June, the organisers have announced that the show’s Main Pavilion is now officially sold out. With 97% of outdoor space already allocated and stands also selling quickly in the recently-extended Registration Pavilion, companies interested in exhibiting are advised to enquire immediately to avoid disappointment. Event director Richard Bradbury comments: ‘We have had an overwhelming response to the 2018 show both from existing customers wanting to rebook and from new enqui- ries looking to exhibit with us for the first time. Hillhead 2018 is set to be the largest exhibition to date, hosting more than 500 exhibitors for the first time.’ Visitor registration is open for the 2018 event which takes place from 26-28 June at Hillhead Quarry, near Buxton. www.hillhead.com

Aerial view of the Hillhead 2016 exhibition.

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MODERN QUARRYING Quarter 1 / 2018