Ensuring that there is a steady supply of explosives for mining operations is important amid pressures already noticeable in the form of declining global commodity prices and increasing mine operating costs, says explosives manufacturing company AEL Mining Services.
“Mining houses are increasingly seeing the value of identifying strategic partners who possess the necessary market intelligence and footprint in order to deliver a fast and reliable supply of explosives and related services,” states AEL global supply chain manager Denvor Govender.
Further, the growing use of emulsions is one of the explosives options currently leading the way in keeping mining houses supplied with the right products at the right times.
Owing to this, AEL provides an end-to-end solution for the supply of emulsion, which ranges from emulsions being manufactured through to being delivered on-site from storage.
Also, AEL can manufacture emulsions on site through mobile manufacturing units (MMUs), based on the mine’s specifications, the rock being blasted and the temperatures they need to be able to withstand.
AEL also transports emulsion across the Southern African Development Community region owing to emulsions being stable and not explosive until they are sensitised. Also, Govender mentions that reducing the amount of regulatory conditions, which accompany authorising the movement of traditional explosives, increases transportation efficiency.
With the availability of its MMUs, AEL notes, a steady supply is facilitated when mines opt for on-site emulsion blending.