The next generation of tagging devices, which aim to revolutionise blasting in the mining and construction industry through ease-of-use, simplicity, visibility, productivity and robustness, has been launched by the partnership between electronic initiation systems company DetNet and mining explosives company AEL Mining Services.

DetNet CEO Gys Landman notes that the DetNet CE4 Tagger, launched on April 10 at the IOQ Exhibition in Cape Town, is an inherently safe device for testing and tagging of electronic detonators and will, through its design and usability, enhance productivity and the accuracy of a blast.

The CE4 Tagger is used as an inherently safe tester to test each electronic detonator and log positional information during the loading phase for the GeoShot seismic electronic initiation system, and has the ability to store information for 16 000 detonators.

“The CE4 Tagger also features a bigger, higher- quality liquid-crystal display (LCD) screen, which is easier to read, especially in harsher climates, and has a scratch-resistant glass screen. The tagger has also been designed for water resistance up to 1 m, where previous generation taggers were only splashproof,” he states.

A new feature of the tagger is that it is compatible with 2-wire and 4-wire (with interchangeable head) systems, reducing the amount of components needed for the electronic blasting system and also making it a more cost- effective option.

Landman adds that, as the main function of a tagging system is to test the integrity of the detonator, the harness and the connectors, the CE4 Tagger has enhanced this function by allowing the testing of poor connections, which can be replaced on site. This enables the blaster to ensure electrical functionality of the system and to reduce misfires and possible lost blast while remaining on the shot.

Compared with previous taggers, such as the CE3 Tagger, Landman says, the CE4 Tagger has been designed to be more robust so that it can withstand harsh weather conditions, with an operating time from a fresh battery of six hours at 25 ºC and 10 hours under normal operating conditions. It also comes with an optional external battery pack, which can be used to warm the device in under –15 ºC conditions.

“Compared with the CE3 Tagger, the CE4 Tagger is also more compact, weighing about 600 g, with a better grip, a bigger LCD screen of 128 mm × 64 mm, and a backlight and flat tactile touchpad which, with its raised silicone keys, makes it glove friendly,” he highlights.