Johannesburg – February 2011 - AEL Mining Services, an international leader and innovator in commercial explosives and blasting solutions, has opened offices in Santiago, Chile to distribute it range of products and services to the Latin American market through partnerships with, ENAEX SA, ENAEX ARGENTINA SRL, Britanite and EXSA SA, well established channel operators in the mining arena.

Although AEL has supplied product to the region for over eight years, it is only through this move  that customers in the region now have consistent access to technology and training, including the best approach to the deployment of AEL’s electronic detonator innovations, underground bulk systems and education around the advantages offered by AEL’s Mining Optimisation services.

AEL Latin America, with support from the global head office, currently has 9 staff and is equipped  to effectively address the growing business requirements of users of AEL products and services in the region.

Colin Wilson, AEL’s International Business director, comments, "Addressing these requirements through the region’s existing channel is in line with AEL’s objective to expand our international footprint whilst furthering our efforts in growing a loyal customer base in Latin America, similar to those in the African Continent and other select international markets.

Wilson adds,"We also intend to provide the latest in explosives technology and services to the smaller explosives companies, adding value through our wealth of our technical capability and global Research and Development infrastructure. Our ability to deliver customised products and solutions in a short turnaround time to suit specific requirements is the hallmark of our success in other regions.

AEL Latin America recently completed successful trial blasts using the DigitShot Plus electronic initiating system at Cerro Colorado mine and Escondida mine, located in the North of Chile. The Digishot Plus system developed by AEL's sister company, DetNet, is the latest electronic delay detonator technology available in the market today.

“The excellent results of these trials have placed the AEL’s DigiShot Plus system in the Chilean market as a competitive option when looking for a blasting initiation system with innovative technology,’ says Alejandro Contreras, AEL Latin America’s operational manager.

A spokesperson at Cerro Colorado commended the operation, particularly the system speed deployment and the contribution to safety and security due to the rugged wire of detonator, which minimises misfires, as well as the technology used, the wireless communication platform (RF communication which can initiate a blast at a distance over 3.500 meters, thus minimising risk and injuries to on bench staff), and the detonator itself.

"We bring over 100 years’ experience", concludes Wilson,"in providing innovative explosive solutions to the mining industry, which will contribute to the Latin American mining arena dominated by open cast and underground copper reserves. Currently, we are also looking further afield at other countries in the Region".

More about AEL Latin America

AEL Latin America, headquartered in Santiago, Chile, was established in 2010 as a regional channel business centre that distributes AEL’s range of explosives, initiating systems and services. AEL accomplished this through partnering with ENAEX and EXSA - two of the regions most respected channel operators in the mining sector

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF AEL MINING SERVICES LIMITED For more information, please contact Ivy Chamboko

Global Head Office:
Acting Group Marketing & Communications Manager,

Tel: +27 11 606 0362

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AEL Latin America

Alejandro Contreras, operational manager – AEL Latin America

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Tel: +56 2 928 1302

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