In an effort to eliminate reverse priming when blasting takes place in mining operations, premixed concrete and shotcrete manufac-turer Precrete Holdings has designed the Blasting Control Device (BCD), which aims to prevent fatalities, while enhancing productivity in mining.

“In underground operations, most explosives-related fatalities are caused by either miners being too close to the blast or by events related to misfires. Misfires result from the complete or partial failure of a blasting charge to explode as planned,” says Precrete Holdings CEO Pine Pienaar.

He further explains that the explosive and accompanying detonator that remain in the hole after blasting, might be triggered by any mechanical effect during drilling of new holes or when attempting to remove misfired detonators, causing injuries or fatalities.

Owing to this, the ability of the BCD to eliminate reverse priming makes the device effective for underground mining operations, Pienaar highlights.

Moreover, the BCD significantly improves hanging wall conditions and face shapes of operations underground. Also, the use of the device reduces support costs, resulting from blow-outs, as a result of reverse priming or excessive explosion use.

“We have two types of BCDs, the long one for conventional mining with hole lengths of 1.2 m and the short device for long holes of 3.2 m,” he points out, noting that the long BCD comprises a detonator holder with a clip, a washer and a shaft. The short BCD comprises the detonator holder with a clip and the umbrella that is inserted by way of a charging lance that hooks into the detonator holder clip.

Pienaar adds that Precrete has trialled the BCD since 2012 at a platinum mine in Rustenburg, where conventional mining of 1.2 m holes is done. The tests resulted in increased advances, conse-quently, mining crews improved their production bonuses and there was a resultant increase in reef tonnage.

Following this, the company also rolled out the BCDs at platinum producer Anglo American Platinum’s Aquarius and Bathopele mines and diversified miner Glencore’s Kroondal chrome mine – both conventional and trackless operations with hole lengths of 1.2 m, and trackless long holes of 3 m, which yielded positive outcomes as both attained the designed safety and productivity enhancing objectives.

“Currently, trials are conducted at a joint ven- ture mine between Glencore and Anglo American Platinum’s Mototolo operation, as well as mangan- ese producer Wessels Mine’s South32 operation – which all show promise in terms of cost savings, productivity improvements and safety by using our BCDs,” Pienaar mentions.

“We welcome poten- tial clients to conduct trails in order to determine whether the benefits outweigh the cost.”

Owing to the current success experienced in South Africa, the company intends to roll out the product to more mines within South Africa. Additionally, it intends to offer the product internationally to destinations such as Zambia, Canada, Australia and South America.