Blasting accessories manufacturer and supplier AEC Electronics (AECE) has developed a new disposable Shocktube initiator, the ShockStart model. The ShockStart is used to initiate Shocktube, a hollow plastic tubing that is loaded with a small amount of explosive powder for underground and surface mining.
The product is designed for single use and does not contain any explosives. It uses a conventional capacitor-discharge shot exploder to ignite. ShockStart eliminates the uncertainty in firing Shocktube and, being nonexstone crusher turkey price for saleplosive, the safety aspects are increased so licences are not needed for its operation. Specialist storage is also not required and the Shocktube initiator cannot be detonated by cap lamps or batteries.
chrome ore beneficiaiton plantAECE MD Martin Plichta tells Mining Weekly that the mining industry is gradually converting to nonexplosive technology when it comes to blasting.
“Nonexplosive blasting is a safer and cheapejaw crusher manufacturer in canadar option, as there are no explosive components that need special transport and storage. “This is becoming the new way to mine,” he says.
A challenge facing the explosives manufacturer is to keep the products it produces low-tech and easy to operate owing to the skills deficit and the constant labour force changes. This constant restructuring makes it a challenge for mines to repeatedly train personnel in complicated blasting techniques. The ShockStart nonexplosive option is simple to work with and is a solution to this particular concern.
Meanwhile, Plichta says that AECE is hoping to expand its business next year to focus on the international market, but, before it can branch out overseas, it first requires greater support from the local market.
A challenge that faces the company in introducing new products to the mining industry is getting the market to move away from its conventional practice and earning its trust in the new products.
“The industry feels that, if the old way works, it is not necessary to change. Once we have proved our product to the market, the hardest part is over. “We intend to do this by aggressively marketing our product, as well as through continuous research and development,” he concludes.