Blasting and explosives specialist BME has launched its Global Blasting Technical Services (GBTS) as an external and stand-alone offering to customers.
Over the years, GBTS has added significant value by enhancing customer operations globally, according to Nishen Hariparsad, General Manager Technology and Marketing at BME.
“We achieve this by unpacking the science of blasting, to enable advanced mining methods and to effectively apply the latest, state-of-the-art technologies,” said Hariparsad. “By delivering these innovative technical services solutions, we help customers to drive efficiencies and unlock value at their operations.”
While GBTS was previously part of BME’s basket of solutions, the company recognised the importance of leveraging its skilled technical capabilities to benefit the market for several reasons, he said.
“As a dedicated partner to the industry, our commitment is to extend our technical services, capabilities and expertise beyond the communities and current customer operations we serve,” he explained. “This initiative aims to provide significant value to the industry and elevate the market through the adoption of best practice systems, tools and measures. We believe it is imperative not only to set a world-class standard but also to lead by example, rather than merely benchmarking against existing standards.”
GBTS includes a range of reactive, proactive and specialised technical services. Among the reactive services is BME’s immediate on-site response to blasting issues, providing troubleshooting and resolving unexpected challenges. The team also conducts drill and blast audits and investigations, vibration and air blast monitoring, fragmentation analysis and blast video analysis. Support with reactive ground testing, 3G face profiling and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) analysis is also available.
“Our proactive technical services focus on regular monitoring and maintenance to prevent problems before they occur, as we continuously optimise blasting processes,” he said. “This includes rock response testing, survey services, and blast design and predictions – as well as blasting impact and performance assessments.”
The third area of GBTS’s work – specialised technical services – comprises advanced solutions for complex projects. This utilises innovative technologies and tailored methodologies to meet unique project requirements. The interventions range from blast modelling and burden response analysis, to environmental services and mine-to-mill or even mine-to-metal projects. The team works with clients to optimise blast performance by addressing factors such as ore dilution, wall control and fragmentation. Training and improvement services are also offered.
Underpinning these services is BME’s depth of global skills, with each expert member of the team bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to ensure that clients receive the highest level of service. Supported by regional technical services managers, projects draw upon the expertise of dedicated technical services engineers for each site. Blasting technicians and engineers work with the company’s scientists and chemists, with further support from in-house software and hardware engineers.
“There are subject matter experts on hand to suit the demands of each project, whether this relates to blast analysis, fragmentation or another area of focus,” he said. “Where special challenges such as reactive ground present themselves, for instance, our dedicated reactive ground experts are there to provide support both in the field and in the laboratory.”
The GBTS teams create a core group of explosive application specialists, engineers and scientists with hundreds of years of combined experience in mining and explosives engineering. BME’s rich history as a leading supplier of explosives means that it is well positioned to offer this broad range of technical services.
“Our interventions are designed to support customers worldwide in achieving optimal performance, control, safety and efficiency – uncovering potential opportunities to improve total cost of mining,” said Hariparsad. “We recognise our success is intertwined with yours, so we aim for a strong partnership of collaboration that combines efforts and leads to exceptional results.”
