BME, a subsidiary of Omnia Group, has launched the VIPERTRON system to expand the use of electronic initiation technology within the mining and quarrying industry.
The VIPERTRON Electronic Initiation System is designed to address obstacles related to cost, training and the operational changes required to move from traditional blasting methods to electronic alternatives.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
Industry adoption of electronic initiation has reportedly been slower than anticipated, despite established benefits in terms of timing accuracy, blast control, rock fragmentation and safety.
According to BME, many mining operations have been hesitant to make the transition from non-electric systems due to concerns about cost-effectiveness and potential disruptions to established workflows.
BME managing director Ralf Hennecke said that while electronic initiation systems have shown “superior accuracy, safety and blast performance”, widespread adoption has not matched expectations.
He noted that mines already producing satisfactory results with conventional systems perceive risks in changing their blasting technology.
The company highlights that timing precision and programmable delays offered by electronic systems can improve control over rock movement, burden relief and fragmentation, optimising outcomes for specific mining environments.
The system also includes comprehensive diagnostics and system integrity testing, features aimed at reducing the risk of misfires and enhancing confidence in operations.
VIPERTRON utilises dual communication channels and is built for operational reliability in challenging mining conditions.
Cost has been a major factor limiting broader deployment of electronic initiation systems, according to BME. The system has been developed to be competitively priced.
BME further said that the new system is intended to serve as a bridge for sites accustomed to shock tube and other conventional systems, providing familiar workflows and requiring minimal additional training.
BME technology and marketing general manager Nishen Hariparsad said: “Many mines hesitate to introduce new technologies because of concerns around retraining of personnel, disrupting established blasting practices or introducing unnecessary operational complexity.
“VIPERTRON has been specifically designed as a practical bridge, so operations can adopt electronic initiation through intuitive workflows, straightforward system logic and minimal additional training requirements.”
