In mining, it’s fair to say nothing lasts forever. From the parts fitted to ground-engaging technologies to the practices and processes miners undertake daily, change is all but an innovation, a regulation or a new guidance document away.
In the last 12 months, innovation was on show in abundance when it comes to the most primitive of tasks – breaking into the Earth’s outer shell, drilling and blasting. Similar to many other components of mining, innovation is led by the desire to improve safety, enhance efficiency and promote sustainability.
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New explosive technologies are helping in that endeavour, as Martyn Mining Services general manager John O’Hanlon explains: “Lately, we have noticed clients are really leaning into digital transformation and automation.”
The Australia-based drilling and blasting company is relatively new to the mining supply chain and contract services landscape. A division of Fullbore Drill & Blast, it serves “diverse client needs throughout the country”.
O’Hanlon, who has been in his role there since late 2024, says among the trends he is noticing is that clients are increasingly looking for ways to integrate AI and machine learning to streamline their operations. Companies are also focusing more on risk management and resilience – probably the result of the global uncertainties and climate issues we face, he says – and making a big push for sustainability by using greener technologies, which is “great to see”.
Explosives are making a bang in sustainability
Explosive technologies, O’Hanlon says, are making good progress towards sustainability: “We are seeing the development of green explosives that have a lower carbon footprint,” he explains.
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By GlobalData“These innovations include materials that produce fewer emissions and are more environmentally friendly.”
New formulations are using bio-based ingredients and recycled materials, illustrating that the push for greener explosives is garnering interest from the mining industry and those supplying it. Products that use less-toxic formulations and reduced-emission blasting solutions look set to be on the cusp of wider industry adoption.
In late 2024, we reported on the promising shift towards more sustainable blasting methods, moving away from traditional explosives such as ammonium nitrate, and the environmental and physical harm they can do, in favour of nitrate-free alternatives.
But it is not just the explosive materials where innovation is being applied. Smart explosives, which offer precision blasting; advanced detonation systems and the growing capabilities of automation are all delivering superior health, safety and sustainability credentials.
Advances such as these mean suppliers such as Martyn Mining are now able to offer products that not only perform well and are safer but also align with clients’ sustainability goals.
O’Hanlon says: “It’s a win-win for performance and the planet.
“We are also actively exploring how we can integrate these green explosives into our business model to further enhance our product offerings and commitment to sustainability.”
Tech innovation supports drilling and blasting
Technological developments are also making drilling and blasting increasingly accurate and reliable.
At MINExpo in Las Vegas last September, Dyno Nobel introduced its DigiShot Plus XR, part of its series that comprises three detonators. It says the solution combines shock, electromagnetic pulse and electrostatic discharge resistance with “high-accuracy timing for peak performance in even the most challenging conditions”.
Among its advances, the manufacturer says it offers protection against blast failure in extreme environments, allows operators a 30% increase in programmable time delay from previous models, as much as 26,000 milliseconds, and features an automated search capability to locate detonators with greater ease.
Its product material states: “In high-dynamic shock environments where detonator failure is possible, Dyno Nobel’s unique shock-resistant detonators address two key challenges in the mining industry: safety and operational efficiency.”
Around the same time, blasting and explosives expert South Africa’s BME launched its Innovex 300D. The “powerful bulk emulsion explosive” is also designed for difficult conditions in surface mining, where dynamic water is a concern.
The company states that “this solution helps mining operations overcome operational and environmental challenges caused by excessive water flow around blast holes”.
During the launch, BME’s global manager for strategic partnerships Dr Rakhi Pathak said: “Dynamic water can lead to incomplete detonations or misfires, and potentially harmful nitrates leaching into the surrounding environment. It can also generate dangerous levels of nitrous oxide fumes due to dampened explosives and disrupted oxygen balance during detonation.”
The company believes its product could address these dangers through its enhanced resistance to dynamic water.
It also highlights its adjustable rheology, which allows operators to adapt the viscosity and flow of the emulsion for challenging geological settings.
Pathak adds: “This capability not only enhances performance but also contributes to safety and blasting precision.”
Explosive change is coming
It seems the current market for explosives and their components is quickly evolving, and evolve it must. Industry watchers are reporting growing demand from the mining and construction sectors.
However, challenges remain for explosives supply and use given the ever-shifting and more rigorous regulations surrounding production, transport and handling.
“The regulatory landscape for explosives in Australia has tightened up quite a bit,” explains O’Hanlon.
“There are stricter traceability and accountability requirements now, with longer record-keeping periods and tougher safety standards, along with better alignment of state laws and regulations across all of Australia.”
Those state-actioned changes have been implemented in recent months as the regions look to modernise – and in some cases standardise – their regulatory frameworks. In South Australia, the Explosives Act 2024 replaces its legislation of the same name, which has been in existence since 1936. In New South Wales, the Explosives Regulation 2024 has replaced its 2013 version.
Such regulatory changes – both of which streamline regulations and introduce more consistent licensing frameworks – are welcomed by O’Hanlon who says the fragmented state laws of the past have been problematic, with states having different rules for the same processes or activities. But, he adds, regulations are continually updated to keep up with the industry, suggesting this flux is nothing new.
He concludes: “Looking ahead, we can expect more focus on environmental impact and sustainable practices in the regulations, and a greater focus on unification of regulatory requirements across all states as a country.”
