BME South Africa reported it initiated a single-detonation blast using its AXXIS electronic initiation system, 3,780 detonators and 461 metric tons (mt) of emulsion at a manganese mine near Hotazel. The blast moved 890,000 mt of overburden, and was a company record for largest blast using electronic detonators.
BME attributed the success in part to AXXIS, which facilitates larger, less frequent blasts. “BME’s ongoing product development has positioned us well to consistently produce quality blasts that deliver on customer requirements,” said Joe Keenan, BME managing director.
Previously, BME initiated a blast using 7,401 detonators at a copper mine in Africa. The company reported the blast was a world record.
