Continuous investment into research and development of explosive technology has proven successful in enhancing the mining and construction sectors, with innovative blasting equipment being developed to improve production output, enhance safety, cut costs and ensure top quality performance.

Acknowledged for her role in the research and development of these innovations is Cheryl Kelly, Group Technical Manager of Initiating Systems at AEL Mining Services, who recently won the prestigious Innovator of the Year award for significant improvements to the spray drying process and formulations at the AECI awards luncheon, hosted at Hyde Park, last month.

Employed by AEL for 26 years, Kelly’s spray drying is a method of producing a dry powder from a liquid or slurry by rapidly drying with a hot gas. This is the preferred method of drying of many thermally-sensitive materials such as powders used for foods like milk powder and coffee and pharmaceuticals. “This patented technique is unique to AEL in order to make free-flowing pyrotechnic,” explains Kelly. “The company’s focus over the last year was to optimise the pyrotechnic compositions - and in particular the binder and oxidiser selections and concentration. This was aimed at significantly improving the timing and the reliability of the composition,” says Kelly.

Kelly, who is supported by a team of scientists and technicians who all offer vast and varied backgrounds in physics, mechanical and chemical engineering, completed a full range of delay powders used for AEL’s Shock Tube range used in blasting applications of narrow reef and surface markets. She says owing to her success has been partnering with the correct third parties including local and international universities, as well as identifying the right people and partners with the necessary skill set to assist in solving technical issues that arise during the development process.

“It is integral for the success of these innovations that the team maintains a firm grasp on the anticipated changes and developments in the world of explosives. I am very fortunate to have a team of extremely innovative and committed individuals who have demonstrated excellent product development and commercialisation skills,” says Kelly. AEL strongly believes that R&D is an integral component of the company’s service offering and as a result, the company invests 3% of its annual revenue into the department in order to not only research new innovations, but offer field and technical support on all new and existing technologies.

“Working on new developments is tremendously exciting. Seeing an idea culminating into a saleable product is very rewarding on a personal and team level because there is incredible satisfaction in developing or enhancing products that are used to enhance bottom line business objectives for the various clients we serve,” concludes Kelly.