BME debuts digital initiation system

BME says Axxis Silver gives mines even safer blasting while saving time on blast preparation and initiation. Photo: BME

BME launched a new digital initiation system that is a slimmed-down version of its Axxis Titanium product.

According to BME, the new Axxis Silver system employs a dual basis of safety – with a dual-voltage and dual-capacitor configuration. This further reduces the risk of uncommanded firings, the company says.

Also, BME detonators now contain a Swiss-designed application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip, giving the system more internal safety gates against stray current and lightning.

“Axxis Silver embodies the key technological advancements of Axxis Titanium while providing a cost-effective option for mines which blast on a smaller scale,” says Tinus Brits, global product manager at BME. “Most importantly, Axxis Silver gives mines even safer blasting while saving time on blast preparation and initiation.

“The ASIC chip enhances safety levels and allows for inherently safe logging and testing,” he adds. “Blasts are initiated by a robust, encrypted blast command ensuring that detonators all receive their respective commands and fire as planned.”

Bennie van Nieuwenhuizen, BME’s Axxis quality manager, says Axxis Silver speeds up the blasting process.

“The logging, testing and programming is done with one unit and requires only one visit to the blasthole,” van Nieuwenhuizen says. “There are also specific advantages that we have built into Axxis Silver, such as the thinner wire which we’ve developed to suit small-diameter vertical blastholes.”