June 2011 - PT AEL Indonesia in collaboration with AEL Mining Services’ R&D department and Lake International Technologies, part of the AECI group, initiated a project where used oil is used in AEL’s emulsion explosives to provide the mining environment with eco-friendly solutions.

In January 2011, AEL converted to ‘used oil’ based emulsion explosive and is currently replacing 20% of the diesel in the emulsion formulation. The aim is to optimise and ultimately replace up to 50% of the virgin fuels. “We live by our values of meticulous care to the environment and, as an innovative company, we always look for technologies and ways that will assist the industry to adhere to recommended environmental standards,” says Colin Wilson, International Business director at AEL.

According to Wilson, this is another way AEL is driving cost savings on virgin fuel consumption, which will have an impact on customers’ bottom line. “These waste lubricating oils have also been introduced as part of our contract with KPC mine Indonesia. This project was initiated in 2009 and by 2010, a suitable emulsion explosive formulation with acceptable quality and compatibility with the production procedure was developed,” adds Wilson.

Initial emphasis was placed on having “waste oil” of acceptable quality, which meant excluding any external contaminants like water and e-greasers. “KPC, however, already has a well-controlled waste lubricating oil collection system in place to ensure the oil supplied to explosives is handled in such a way to eliminate contaminants,” says Sandri van Heerden, AEL Indonesia’s Bulk Technology manager.

Van Heerden adds that during servicing, quick fill direct suction couplings are used to drain equipment units of transmission, engine, gear, steering and hydraulic oils. These are directly pumped to the holding tank in the workshop area, eliminating any external contamination. A sample of the oil is then laboratory tested to a specification to ensure the quality is consistent from batch to batch before it is approved for use in explosive production. The QC approved oil is then referred to as “used oil” and not “waste oil”.

“There are cost benefits to the mine in the reduction of diesel usage and importantly “used oil” that would otherwise have been discarded as waste, is consumed during the detonation process,” concludes van Heerden.

Issued on behalf of AEL Mining Services Limited

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