EXPLOSIVES: Epiroc and Orica together tackle automated loading system

[caption id="attachment_1003731750" align="aligncenter" width="430"] The new partnership of Epiroc and Orica aims to automate and redefine underground drilling and blasting.[/caption] STOCKHOLM – Epiroc, a leading productivity partner for the mining industry, has entered a partnership with world-leading commercial explosives provider Orica to jointly develop a semi-automated explosives delivery system, enabling safer and more productive blasting operations in underground mines. As mines go deeper and orebodies become more remote the case for blasting automation becomes clearer. The partnership will bring together the deep expertise and experience of two global industry leaders to address the growing demand from customers mining in increasingly more hazardous and challenging underground operations. Epiroc and Orica are the perfect combination to optimize the explosives charging process for underground mining. Epiroc is the industry leader in developing innovative underground mining equipment, including face drill rigs and production drill rigs. Australia-based Orica is the world’s largest provider of commercial explosives and innovative blasting systems to the mining, quarrying, oil and gas and construction industries. The companies aim to design and deliver the first prototype during 2020, with the first commercially available systems to enter service in 2021. More details on the collaboration and the technology will be communicated later. Please see both www.Orica.com and www.Epiroc.com.