By: Thokozani Mdladla - Zetes South Africa

Across the mining landscape, explosives are the invisible force powering production, but they’re also one of the most highly controlled commodities in the world. As safety and accountability take centre stage, South Africa’s explosives manufacturers and distributors are now under growing pressure to prove exactly where every cartridge, detonator and cords has been, and who handled it along the way.

That’s where Zetes steps in. For over 40 years, Zetes has been the partner behind many of the world’s most advanced traceability and serialisation programmes across regulated sectors, from pharmaceuticals to chemicals to civil explosives. Zetes has helped industry leaders move from manual, paper-based tracking to fully digital, end-to-end visibility.

And today, that same transformation is reaching the explosives and mining sector.

Why Action Can’t Wait

South African authorities are tightening control over explosive materials, demanding digital accountability at every stage. Brand owners and economic operators who act now to establish robust traceability systems will not only be prepared for forthcoming requirements, but will also enjoy measurable business benefits:

• Customer loyalty via collaborative supply chains
• Improved stock accuracy and reduced losses.
• Safer operations through clear product provenance.
• International market readiness, as global partners increasingly demand proof of traceability.
• Faster investigations in the event of theft or discrepancy.

Delaying implementation, on the other hand, means scrambling to retrofit systems under pressure, often at higher cost and with greater disruption.

From Compliance to Control

Traceability of explosives isn’t just about meeting a law, it’s about protecting lives, reputation and continuity.
Every year, millions of units of commercial explosives move through manufacturing plants, magazines, and mine sites. Along this journey, theft, tampering, and misplacement are constant risks. A single unaccounted cartridge can have devastating consequences.

The growing emphasis on explosives traceability means every stakeholder of the explosive supply chain must be able to answer four simple questions instantly: Who made it, what is it, where is it, and when was it handled?

Zetes Digital track-and-trace systems make that possible. By assigning a unique, machine-readable identity to each product and capturing every event from production to detonation, companies gain not only compliance but confidence.

Turning Data into Safety

Zetes’ approach brings together hardware, software, and data intelligence to form one cohesive ecosystem. It’s not theory, it's technology proven in real-world explosives environments.

Today, Zetes’ solution handles multiple billions of supply chain events every year.

At the core are Zetes Collaborative Connected solutions, which together form a digital backbone of any supply chain that eliminates guesswork, strengthens accountability, and enhances operational safety and productivity.

From Site to Company-Wide Rollout with Global Expertise and Local Commitment

A key strength of Zetes is helping customers start small, without disrupting operations.

The process begins with a traceability assessment, where Zetes consultants map existing production and logistics workflows. A pilot site is then equipped with marking and scanning technology, allowing teams to experience the process firsthand before scaling it across the company.

Once established, traceability becomes part of the culture of digital empowerment, not an added task.

Zetes isn’t new to explosives and mining, and has supported leading international companies in achieving complete inventory and unit-level traceability across global supply chains. By adapting global standards and integrating with existing systems, Zetes clients create transparent chains of custody that improve both compliance and productivity.

That same blueprint guides Zetes’ operations in Africa, tailored for local operating conditions. With a dedicated automation and label factory in Johannesburg, Zetes can design and deliver compliant marking solutions locally, ensuring faster deployment, maintenance, and technical support.

“Traceability isn’t just a regulatory checkbox,” explains one of Zetes’ traceability experts. “It’s a way to bring visibility and trust into an industry that needs it most. The technology already exists, the key is readiness.”

The message to the sector is clear: the time to act is now.