https://newsletter.en.creamermedia.com

BME claims world record for most electronic detonators fired in single blast

EXPLOSIVE EXCELLENCE The blast was conducted in the main pit of Kansanshi and involved 6 690 electronic delay detonators that were initiated using BME’s Axxis digital initiation system

EXPLOSIVE EXCELLENCE The blast was conducted in the main pit of Kansanshi and involved 6 690 electronic delay detonators that were initiated using BME’s Axxis digital initiation system

Photo by BME

27th October 2017

By: Ilan Solomons

Creamer Media Staff Writer

     

Font size: - +

Johannesburg-headquartered explosives and services supplier BME says it has broken the world record for the most electronic detonators fired in a single blast.

This was achieved in conjunction with its client, Kansanshi Mining, at its Kansanshi operation, in Zambia’s North-Western province. Kansanshi Mining is a subsidiary of metals mining company First Quantum Minerals.

The blast was conducted on September 29 in the main pit of Kansanshi, which is the largest copper mine in Africa by copper production, and involved 6 690 electronic delay detonators (EDDs). These were successfully initiated using BME’s Axxis digital initiation system.

BME Zambia area manager Wayde De Bruin points out that all the holes were single-primed, with a setup that included nine different shots, 18 slave blasting boxes and one master box.

He comments that the blast moved about 455 000 bank cubic metres and consumed a total of 400 t of emulsion explosives, thereby yielding an overall average powder factor of 0.9 kg/m3. “The blasts were offset to keep the mass charge per delay to a minimum, with the highest timing recorded on this blast being 6 520 m/s.”

Further, BME’s Axxis global product manager, Tinus Brits, highlights that the company’s technical ability had again been showcased by continually pushing the boundaries through its innovations and in-house research capacity.
“This blast follows previous records that BME achieved in the past with our EDDs, as, about two years ago at Kansanshi, we set an in-house record with 4 141 EDDs in a single blast.”

To watch Creamer Media's latest video reports, click here
 

Edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

Article Enquiry

Email Article

Save Article

Feedback

To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here

Comments

Showroom

Craig Miller Technical Services (CMTS)
Craig Miller Technical Services (CMTS)

CMTS is a leading, well-established EC&I contractor with 37+ years of mining and industrial experience. We execute full-scope EC&I projects with...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Amsted Reelin image
Amsted Reelin

REELIN is Currently the largest supplier of Bearings to Transnet. We have contracts to supply bearings, draft gears slackadjusters and other...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Magazine round up | 14 November 2025
Magazine round up | 14 November 2025
14th November 2025

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







301

sq:0.165 0.256s - 164pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now