• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • News
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Science
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Tech

Explosives manufacturer adapts mineral scanning for safer blasting

April 10, 2017
Steinmüller Africa Won 2022 Arnot Company of the Year Award

Steinmüller Africa Won 2022 Arnot Company of the Year Award

September 27, 2023
Tata Steel and ABB Jointly Explore Technologies to Help Reduce Carbon Footprint of Steel Production

Tata Steel and ABB Jointly Explore Technologies to Help Reduce Carbon Footprint of Steel Production

September 14, 2023
advertisement
ADVERTISEMENT
Jet Demolition Safeguards Mines Against Illegal Mining with Shaft Capping

Jet Demolition Safeguards Mines Against Illegal Mining with Shaft Capping

September 14, 2023
Risk and Insurance in a Shifting Energy Market

Risk and Insurance in a Shifting Energy Market

September 11, 2023
Clarifying the Role of Breathalyser Results in Employee Dismissals

Clarifying the Role of Breathalyser Results in Employee Dismissals

September 11, 2023
Pushing Polymers Limits

Pushing Polymers Limits

September 11, 2023
Enabling Finance Boosts Sasolburg Mine

Enabling Finance Boosts Sasolburg Mine

September 11, 2023
WearCheck Expands Its Skilled Workforce  

WearCheck Expands Its Skilled Workforce  

September 11, 2023
Eriez® Empowers Growth in South Africa with Appointment of Morake Hlahane

Eriez® Empowers Growth in South Africa with Appointment of Morake Hlahane

September 11, 2023
Africa’s Mines and Factories Must Brace for AI and ‘Bots’

Africa’s Mines and Factories Must Brace for AI and ‘Bots’

September 8, 2023
Duferco, Vedanta Fund Long-Term Project into Novel Zinc Refining Process

Duferco, Vedanta Fund Long-Term Project into Novel Zinc Refining Process

September 6, 2023
Urgent Measures Needed to Counter Illegal Mining Before Disaster Strikes Again

Urgent Measures Needed to Counter Illegal Mining Before Disaster Strikes Again

September 6, 2023
  • African Mining Brief
  • Magazine Archive
  • Contacts
  • Media Kit
Friday, September 29, 2023
African Mining Brief
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Home
  • News
  • Events
  • Industry
  • People
  • Projects
  • Press Releases
  • Magazine Archive
MAGAZINE ARCHIVE
ADVERTISE
  • Home
  • News
  • Events
  • Industry
  • People
  • Projects
  • Press Releases
  • Magazine Archive
No Result
View All Result
African Mining Brief
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Events
  • Industry
  • People
  • Projects
  • Press Releases
  • Magazine Archive
Home Drilling and blasting

Explosives manufacturer adapts mineral scanning for safer blasting

by Jimmy Swira
April 10, 2017
in Drilling and blasting
0
491
SHARES
1.4k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

In another step towards safer blasting practice, leading explosives company, BME is adapting mineral scanning technology to quickly identify reactive ground conditions that could lead to blast site incidents.

 BME blasting engineer, Victor Krause, highlights the potential for sulphides contained in rock to reacts with the nitrates in explosives – possibly causing the emulsion to deflagrate or detonate prematurely in the blast hole.

 The term reactive ground is commonly explained as, a spontaneous exothermic reaction after it comes into contact with nitrates. The reaction of concern involves the chemical oxidation of sulphides (usually of iron or copper) by nitrates and the liberation of potentially large amounts of heat. The process is unpredictable and can be so violent that it results in premature or unplanned initiation of explosives.

 “We are in the process of advancing and developing our technology by adapting a mineral scanner to identify reactive ground on-the-spot,” says Krause, “This can give us real-time information that eliminates the need for expensive lab tests and avoids having to wait weeks for the results.”

 He says they are utilising the XRF Delta Pro mineral scanner, which has many mining and geological applications including mineral identification. Long term solutions involve ISO thermal testing   when drilled core samples are available, this will predict reactive ground way in advance and should be done whenever possible.

 “With this scanner, the user can determine if the areas surrounding blast holes are reactive,” he says. “This can be done days before explosives are pumped into the blast holes, so that the correct procedures are followed should reactive ground be discovered in the blasting area.”

 The scanner works in conjunction with a Trimble GPS system, updating coordinates with scanned results and building a reference database.

 “This database will assist in indicating if there is a history of reactive ground at that specific mine,” says Krause. “BME plans to use this data to create a world map that identifies reactive ground zones with full information and support.”

 He says the next step in the development process will be to apply the gathered data in conjunction with other technologies, such as using ISO thermal testing,  drones and borehole cameras with thermal scanning technology’s to advance the identification process in the field of reactive ground.

 BME has already developed a specialised emulsion type for use in reactive ground.

Tags: BMEmineral scanning technologyVictor Krause
Share196Tweet123
Jimmy Swira

Jimmy Swira

Jan - March 2023 Magazine

Steinmüller Africa Won 2022 Arnot Company of the Year Award

Steinmüller Africa Won 2022 Arnot Company of the Year Award

September 27, 2023
Tata Steel and ABB Jointly Explore Technologies to Help Reduce Carbon Footprint of Steel Production

Tata Steel and ABB Jointly Explore Technologies to Help Reduce Carbon Footprint of Steel Production

September 14, 2023
Jet Demolition Safeguards Mines Against Illegal Mining with Shaft Capping

Jet Demolition Safeguards Mines Against Illegal Mining with Shaft Capping

September 14, 2023

Trending News

  • Business Maverick Zunaid Moti Announces Departure from Moti Group

    Business Maverick Zunaid Moti Announces Departure from Moti Group

    1062 shares
    Share 425 Tweet 266
  • Scraper Winch

    736 shares
    Share 294 Tweet 184
  • Thyssenkrupp Uhde Expertise Extends the Life of Ammonia Tanks

    641 shares
    Share 256 Tweet 160
  • Slope Stability

    634 shares
    Share 254 Tweet 159
  • Underground Support Systems

    630 shares
    Share 252 Tweet 158
  • Another successful turnkey modular construction and transit solution from thyssenkrupp Uhde delivered to a key customer

    600 shares
    Share 240 Tweet 150
  • African Mining Brief
  • Magazine Archive
  • Contacts
  • Media Kit

© 2023 African Mining Brief I All Rights Reserved Powered by Clivo.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Events
  • Industry
  • People
  • Projects
  • Press Releases
  • Magazine Archive

© 2023 African Mining Brief I All Rights Reserved Powered by Clivo.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In