Modern Quarrying Q1 2022

detonators particularly susceptible 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 pressures, and isolates com- ponents from any induced ground currents – such as electrostatic discharge and lightning strikes. Easier timing, more dets The ASIC chip boasts more memory and processing speed, facilitat- ing 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 initiated per blast. The system can now manage 1 000 detonators per blasting box, doubling the capability of the previ- ous 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 – doubling the capacity of the AXXIS GII generation. “AXXIS has been proven in some of the largest mining blasts on record, giving mines the opportunity to conduct fewer blasts – thereby reducing downtime due to pit clo- sures,” he says. “The ultra-low energy micro-chip is also less susceptible to leakage and cable resistance and extends the firing time to a maximum of 35 seconds.” Speed, testability The ease of use and on-bench logging is among the key benefits of AXXIS Titanium. Hennie du Preez, BME’s manager AXXIS Support, highlights the one-step logging and testing of detonators, as well as the simple fault-finding and quick corrections on the blast pattern. “Everything is built into the logger, which can now do the programming, scanning and testing,” says du Preez. “The market appreciates the speed at which you can now fire a blast; after the detonators have been programmed, you can start up the controller from the view site and blast within two minutes.” The speed of the ASIC chip on the

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

KEY TAKEAWAYS

BME’s release of AXXIS Titanium raises the bar globally for the electronic detonator market

A unique innovation is the use of dual capacitors and dual voltage, allowing customers to conduct low voltage logging to avoid any chance of detonation

The ASIC chip boasts more memory and processing speed, facilitating easier timing and centralised programming if the timing needs to be changed after being conducted on the bench

The commercialisation of AXXIS Titanium follows extensive laboratory and field testing in South Africa, leading to the recent award of an Inspection Authority certificate by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy

initiated by a robust, encrypted blast command ensuring that detonators all receive their respective commands and fire as planned. He emphasises that the detonator will only react if it receives the correct, encrypted firing sequence from the blasting equipment, not from any other source. “We have 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,” he says. “Our intensive tests in conjunction with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) showed that our detonators can withstand a significant EMP without any impact on their timing.” He notes that underground blasting – within confined spaces – made

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QUARTER 1 - 2022 MODERN QUARRYING