AEL Deploys Largest DigiShot Plus Electronic Blast at Optimum Colliery

On 6 May 2010, a trial block on the Kwagga section, consisting of 345 holes with an average depth of 36 meters, was allocated to AEL for a trial blast.

Johan Duvenhage, AEL's Regional Manager, Eastern Operations, of Coal Southern Africa, commented, "This block was broken down into decks presenting some challenges.  AEL charged it up with its new E-Series Mobile Manufacturing Units (MMUs), which are manufactured locally for South African mining conditions.  These MMUs have an efficient charge speed of explosives down the hole and have the capacity to carry a 20 ton payload on mine.

“We initiated the blast on 22nd May 2010 using the DigiShot Plus system.  Through this system, we tagged and assigned locations to each detonator at any time during the charging process, allowing miners to log the entire blast pattern before the MMUs left the bench.  However, due to mining regulations, the MMU’s were forced to only pump up to a certain distance from the drill rig before they had to stop. Despite the challenge posed by these regulations, the MMUs managed to pump an average of 80 tons per MMU per day on site."

The AEL DigiShot Plus system is designed to set a blast off remotely, meaning that the blast can be set off in a range of 3.5km with direct line of site.

The mine was impressed with the new electronic system and realise the benefits in terms of risk and connecting time reduction. By setting off the blasts remotely, they have a much clearer view of the area being blasted, thus an additional safety measure.  The mine is also able to clear the area without the risk of damaging any connecting wires from the Bench box to the blasting area which in turn also provides cost saving opportunities to the customer.

The timing of the block can also be uploaded onto the Bench box beforehand, thereby saving even more time.  By following this process, there is no risk of damage to the harness wire and the miner is in full control of the blast pattern. During the blast, time on the bench was significantly reduced, resulting in an efficiency improvement of the blasting process as well as the related earth moving equipment.

From a post blast analysis done a significant improvement in fragmentation uniformity and size distribution was noted.  Contributing factors to the improved results was the combination of the AEL Mining Services SD135E bulk formulation and the Digishot Plus electronic detonator system.

“This was the largest blast ever done with the DigiShot Plus system to date. Negotiations are currently under way between mine personnel and AEL Mining Services in order to discuss a service offering on how we believe we could further contribute to the operation, with clear and proved benefits to the customer,” concluded Duvenhage.

About AEL Mining Services

AEL Mining Services, a member of the JSE-listed AECI Group in South Africa, is a leading developer, producer and supplier of commercial explosives, initiating systems and blasting services for mining, quarrying and construction markets in Africa and Indonesia.

AEL Mining Services is a world-class mining services company with global technologies that create wealth and growth in South Africa, African and selected international markets.

With its head office in Johannesburg, South Africa, AEL Mining Services was established in 1896, and is today one of the world's leading suppliers of explosives and initiating systems.  With 16 companies in AEL Mining Services, the group also has production facilities and offices in South Africa, Egypt, Ghana, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Zambia, DRC, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Chile, and South East Asia.

With its large team of leading engineers and scientists, AEL has over a century of expertise and knowledge in developing ground-breaking and innovative blasting solutions that contribute to the creation of infrastructures in countries throughout the world.

About Optimum Colliery

Optimum Coal is a black-owned and controlled South African mining group and is one of South Africa’s largest coal mining companies with an extensive operational footprint located mainly in the Witbank coalfield region of Mpumalanga.

Optimum Coal is a ‘pure-coal play’ operating in a coal based economy with exposure to the export market. The company has operations strategically located with good access to rail infrastructure, rapid loading and export facilities and a large export allocation at RBCT. The company also has high quality and extensive coal reserves and resources with a strong development pipeline.

Optimum Coal is the sixth largest producer of thermal coal in southern Africa and is a key supplier of coal to Eskom for energy generation. Optimum Coal is also South Africa’s fourth largest coal exporter with a significant shareholding of the Richards Bay Coal Terminal.

The company is cash generative with a strong balance sheet and a solid growth platform. For the end of June 2009 Optimum Coal generated revenues of R3,965 billion and EBITDA of R1,440 billion.

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF AEL MINING SERVICES LIMITED

For more information, please contact Vuyiswa Vivi Majova Group Marketing & Communications Manager,

Tel : +27 11 606 0550
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