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 Masterclass, held in Johannesburg in September.

“Mining clients need to improve their balance sheet and pursue cash preservation, which is an imperative in the current economic climate. Using our customisable blasting practices approach can lead to safe, optimal blast outcomes that reduce inefficiencies and operating costs, while improving productivity and output,” says AEL Southern Africa executive director Wayne Du Chenne.

Du Chenne explains that this approach is driven by enablers that include differentiated products, adaptable delivery systems and services, and predictive software.

These ensure delivery on desired blast outcomes and driving efficiencies, optimising mining conditions, as well as initiating continuous skills enhancement and environmental sustainability.

“IntelliBlast underscores our intelligence, experience and research and development, which are embedded in our products and services,” Du Chenne explains, noting that the value proposition aims to ensure that the solution deployed is not only appropriate, but also deployed with meticulous care to manifest ideal blast outcomes that ensure optimal preparation of the blasted rock for beneficiation, thereby impacting significantly on metal-to-mill efficiencies.

“This is achieved by blasting simulation and predictive software, which allows for customers, over time, firstly, to match the correct explosives energy to their specific rock breaking characteristics. Secondly, daily mining blasting production improvement in decision-making can augment the cash preservation strategy pursued by customers,” he says.

Embedded in each decision, with sound blast design in synergy with fit-for-purpose products or services, are aspects like muck profiles, cast, fragmentation, reducing back damage, presplits and designing in protection of the integrity of the excavation.

Whether it is product choice or service, IntelliBlast enables the release of the “implanted intelligence” to execute its impact on the blast outcome. AEL will formally agree to the proof points and track the actual outcomes.

He further explains that proof points, which are often unexplored, can be found in other key examples, like logistics: “Using our adaptable delivery systems, such as our mobile manufacturing units and rapid reloading systems, we could prove that the client could potentially reduce the amount of capital equipment deployed by 45%, and the amount of hours spent on loading the explosives holes on the bench by about 10%.

If the rapid reloading system is added to this, clients could reduce the loading time by nearly 60%,” Du Chenne suggests.

With the industry worldwide facing challenging economic conditions, mining companies are evaluating the human-technology interface in their mining operations, redeveloping their mine plans and rebalancing their capital deployment, Du Chenne points out.

“AEL wants to collaborate with clients through the IntelliBlast platform to contribute by collaboratively achieving their peak blasting efficiencies. We believe that IntelliBlast is the platform for that applicable conversation,” Du Chenne concludes.