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Explosives News
Software agreement advances explosion protection devices
28th July 2017 In a clear push towards mobile innovation, global explosion protection solutions provider Bartec and Netherlands-headquartered software provider eVision will deliver rugged, intrinsically safe devices, which will ensure worldwide distribution and support of eVision’s suite of mobile Control of... →
Hydropower – what the industry needs now
By: Marleny Arnoldi 21st July 2017 The contraction in the South African mining industry has resulted in many projects and expansions stalling in recent years, with mines having closed or scaled back on capital and operational expenditure. →
Mining Indaba offering new junior zone, boosting interface opportunities 
By: Martin Creamer 4th July 2017 Strong new thrusts are planned for next year’s Investing in African Mining Indaba, which is scheduled to take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from February 5 to 8, once again to support investment in mining companies operating in Africa and to provide an effective platform... →
Varsity launches centre to help mining sector survive Industrial Revolution 4.0
By: David Oliveira 2nd June 2017 The University of Pretoria’s (UP’s) Department of Mining Engineering last month launched its Mining Resilience Research Centre (MRRC) at the Hatfield, Pretoria, campus. The centre will take a multidisciplinary and holistic research approach to address the challenges facing the South African... →
Mining Resilience Research Centre launch to help sector survive Industrial Revolution 4.0
By: David Oliveira 26th May 2017 The University of Pretoria’s (UP’s) Department of Mining Engineering has launched its Mining Resilience Research Centre (MRRC) at the Hatfield, Pretoria, campus. The centre will take a multidisciplinary and holistic research approach to address the challenges facing the South African mining... →
Mineral scanner to facilitate identification of reactive ground
26th May 2017 In another step towards safer blasting practice, Johannesburg-headquartered explosives and services supplier BME is adapting its XRF Delta Pro mineral scanner to quickly identify reactive-ground conditions that could lead to blast site incidents. “This can give us real-time information that... →
Start-up solution offered by crushing specialist
12th May 2017 With most major mining firms already on its customer list, blasting and excavation company B&E International – based in Kempton Park, South Africa - has developed a solution for start-up miners that likely need to conserve their cash flow in the early days of operation. →
Drilling specialist to receive training accreditation
By: Marleny Arnoldi 5th May 2017 Mining industry drilling services provider Rosond is in the process of becoming an accredited Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Merseta) training provider. →
Master Blaster CEO takes issue with Frost & Sullivan findings on explosives
By: Ilan Solomons 5th May 2017 The findings of a recent report by market research company Frost & Sullivan entitled ‘The Mining Explosives Market in South Africa for Coal, Iron Ore, Gold and PGMs, Forecast to 2020’ are technically and factually incorrect, contends blasting solutions provider Master Blaster CEO Mark Davis. In... →
Electronic sensors to monitor explosive gases on deep mines
7th April 2017 A Norwegian-African cooperative project aims to develop a communication network, which will wirelessly transmit and receive signals within deep-mine operations, where drilling, blasting and excavation take place to detect combustible gases before they explode. →
Productivity at SA gold, platinum mines declined 49% from 1999 to 2014 – Chamber of Mines
By: David Oliveira 31st March 2017 Productivity in the platinum and gold mining sectors declined by 49% from 1999 to 2014, while labour costs increased by about 309% during the same period, Chamber of Mines (CoM) modernisation and safety intern Katlego Letsoalo noted earlier this month during The Southern African Institute of... →
Explosives innovation helping to drive mining costs down – new report
By: David Oliveira 24th March 2017 Steady technological advancements in the mining industry are reducing mining costs, improving blasting efficiencies and driving explosives sales, thereby boosting growth in the South African mining explosives market, new analysis from market research company Frost & Sullivan finds. ‘The Mining... →
A catalyst for innovation, Goldcorp pushes the envelope on technological advances
By: Henry Lazenby 11th March 2017 Canadian gold major Goldcorp is acting as a catalyst to bring innovation into the mining industry, an industry traditionally loathe to adopt new technologies that could ultimately improve the bottom line. As exemplified in its leading role in sponsoring the #DisruptMining competition during the... →
Goldcorp’s existing policies promote diversity in the work place
Drones facilitating increased blasting accuracy, efficiency
By: Dylan Slater 10th March 2017 Explosives and blasting technology company BME’s establishing a high-tech services unit, will enable it to advance the use of drones in mine blasting activities. →
One-off items impact AECI’s top-line performance in FY16
By: Anine Kilian 28th February 2017 JSE-listed AECI on Tuesday said its core operating segments, explosives and specialty chemicals, have delivered “commendable” performances in 2016, despite a difficult domestic and global trading environment. Group revenue grew by 1% year-on-year to R18.6-billion for the 12 months to December 31,... →
Vale’s Moatize coal operation benefiting from increased production and transport capacity
By: Keith Campbell 24th February 2017 Production at the Moatize coal mine, owned by Brazilian mining major Vale and located in the Tete province of Mozambique, hit a record of 5.5-million tons last year, 500 000 t (or 10.7%) higher than in 2015. This was composed of 3.5-million tons of metallurgical – or coking – coal and 2-million... →
Raubex
27th January 2017 With more than four decades of experience in the Southern African construction and mining industry, infrastructure development and materials handling specialist Raubex Group is a leading player on the sub-continent. Listed on the JSE since 2007, Bloemfontein-headquartered Raubex specialises in... →
Propellant-based rock breaking system mooted as alternative to traditional explosives
By: Ilan Solomons 27th January 2017 It is generally acknowledged that South Africa’s narrow-reef mining sector is in a precarious state as its viability is challenged by declining global commodity prices, labour instability, uncertain government policy, overregulation and declining productivity. Adding to the problem is mine... →
IMPROVING SAFETY The 1.4S initiation system propellant powders produce no shock energy, which ensures improved hanging wall conditions, and therefore a safer working environment
Explosives manufacturer launches electronic blasting system
27th January 2017 Explosives manufacturer and distributor AEL Mining Services launched what it claims is its most advanced electronic initiating system, the intelliShot, in December. The electronic initiating system is designed to work in partnership with the company’s DetNet. →
Explosives reloading system helping Gold One to reduce mining costs
By: Dylan Slater 20th January 2017 An innovative infrastructure to use emulsion explosives for all 70 of gold miner Gold One’s underground narrow-reef stope panels at its Modder East mine has been initiated as part of the miner’s strategy to reduce its cost per ton mined. →
Possible commodity price upturn, cost-cutting innovations augur well for mining sector, BME conference delegates told
By: Dylan Slater 9th December 2016 The possibility of an upturn in commodity prices may be positively turning, as well as news of cost-saving innovations for mines as they struggle to remain profitable, were the highlights of the yearly BME Drilling and Blasting Conference, held in Pretoria last month. The volume of total mining... →
Sibanye testing alternative to explosives-based rock breaking
By: Ilan Solomons 9th December 2016 The South African mining industry requires a paradigm shift in its fundamental approach to mining processes to ensure that it can move away from the use of explosives, says diversified miner Sibanye Resources safe technology and innovation project engineer Alex Fenn. He argues that explosives are... →
NONEXPLOSIVE MINING ENABLER The Multi-Track1000 is 930 mm in height and has four independent track assemblies, which are capable of three different degrees of motion
Omnia H1 profit down 11% y/y amid drought, plant breakdown
By: Megan van Wyngaardt 29th November 2016 South African chemicals producer Omnia on Tuesday reported that negative impacts on its agriculture division, including the drought and a breakdown at its Nitric Acid 2 complex, have seen its gross profit decrease by 11% year-on-year to R1.5-billion for the six months to September 30. The... →
Introducing change could yield financial value
By: Kimberley Smuts 18th November 2016 Introducing a proactive blast design approach and new technology can be intimidating for mining companies, as it requires change, but they should keep an open mind as downstream improvements are a catalyst for financial value, says international blast engineering and consulting firm RA McClure... →
EXCAVATION EFFICIENCY Overcoming blasting inaccuracies improves all the downstream processes
Mining’s future needs innovation from suppliers
18th November 2016 The fate of mining does not lie in the hands of mines alone, everyone involved in the mining supply chain must accept that the recovery and future of the industry relies on the best value creation at every step in that chain, emphasises South Africa-based cold emulsion explosives innovator BME.... →
Importance of using lightning prediction networks emphasised
By: Kimberley Smuts 18th November 2016 Globally, every year there are about two recorded explosions at opencast mining operations due to lightning strikes during blasting activities, explosives firm BME blasting science director Tony Rorke tells Mining Weekly. He adds that if lightning strikes a blast area that has been charged, the... →
Mobile technology helps eliminate blasting obstacles
By: Kimberley Smuts 18th November 2016 Explosives firm BME explored how mobile technology and centralised data could provide mine managers with an edge to comprehensively eliminate potential blast problems, through among others management of blast inputs, thereby improving blast results, at its annual Drilling and Blasting Conference.... →
New approach to deliver safe, efficient blasting and cost savings – AEL
By: Mia Breytenbach 11th November 2016 South African explosives manufacturer and distributor AEL Mining Services has launched IntelliBlast, a holistic and flexible approach to help clients on their unique journey to optimal blast outcomes using AEL’s differentiated products and services. IntelliBlast was launched at AEL’s Blasting... →
Patented mining technology to be released month-end
By: Aarifah Nosarka 28th October 2016 Local ultra-low-profile mining machinery and equipment supplier CMTI Consulting expects to release its patented MT100, MT1000 and automated brake tester technologies for mines by the end of this month. The technology, developed by CMTI Consulting, in Pretoria, comprises 70% local content and is... →
Consultant promotes technology over subsidies to ensure sustainability
By: Nadine James 16th September 2016 Coal mining companies need to embrace the technological revolution if they are to overcome current challenges, including lower commodity prices, rising labour costs and increased regulatory pressures, says commodity and industrial consulting firm Bryanston Resources. According to Bryanston... →
Sentinel at forefront of global mining technology
9th September 2016 Canadian base metals producer First Quantum Minerals’ (FQM’s) $2.1-billion Sentinel mine, in Zambia’s North-Western province, is described by the Zambian Chamber of Mines (CoM) as the country’s mining industry’s “most ambitious venture ever” and the single-largest upfront infrastructure... →
Omnia still pursuing North American entry after Nordex offer is withdrawn
By: Megan van Wyngaardt 22nd August 2016 JSE-listed Omnia Holdings has withdrawn and terminated its offer to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Canadian firm Nordex Explosives. The chemicals company on Monday said Nordex shareholders had approved the change of control private placement and going private transaction with... →
Impeded release of nitrates mitigating enviro impact of mining explosives
By: Dylan Slater 19th August 2016 Developments over the past three decades by mining explosives manufacturer BME, have resulted in a lowered negative impact on the environment through the impeded release of nitrates during blasting operations, thereby, preventing possible groundwater contamination and allowing enhanced recycling... →
Detonation system’s Australian footprint expanding
By: Sebastian Whyle 5th August 2016 The AXXIS Digital Initiation System from explosives company BME has been well received in Australia and is regarded highly in its mining sector, BME technical director Tony Rorke tells Mining Weekly. →
ADVANCING IN AUSTRALIA BME is actively working towards growing its customer base in Australia
Omnia raises bid for Nordex
By: Natasha Odendaal 4th August 2016 Shareholders of Canadian firm Nordex Explosives have one month to accept a now-formal fully funded, all-cash inflated takeover bid by JSE-listed Omnia Group. Omnia this week, through its mining division BME, raised the stakes with an offer of C$0.22 per Nordex share, taking the deal to... →
Explosionproof hoists, cranes
22nd July 2016 Operating electrical equipment in explosive atmospheres requires specially designed and constructed lifting equipment to avoid the risk of explosion posed by gases, liquids, dusts, vapours and other substances, states lifting solutions company Konecranes. Owing to the risks involved, Konecranes... →
Omnia urges Nordex shareholders to accept its buyout offer
By: Creamer Media Reporter 21st July 2016 JSE-listed Omnia Holdings believes its C$0.20 a share all-cash offer to acquire Canadian firm Nordex Explosives still provides the highest value to Nordex shareholders. This comes after Nordex on July 18 announced that another bidder, Société Anonyme d'Explosifs et de Produits Chimiques (EPC),... →
South Africa’s BME to make play for Canadian explosives firm
By: Creamer Media Reporter 15th July 2016 JSE-listed Omnia Holdings will, through its BME subsidiary, make an all-cash offer to acquire Canadian firm Nordex Explosives for C$0.20 a share. “Today, we are announcing our intention to make this premium all-cash offer to Nordex shareholders. Unfortunately, the directors of Nordex were unable... →
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