Orica’s Digital Transformation in Mining

After attending MINExpo in Las Vegas this September, we had an insightful discussion with Daniel Gleeson, editor at International Mining, about how Orica’s cutting-edge technologies are advancing our mission to sustainably mobilise the Earth’s resources. Read article here

Angus Melbourne, Orica’s Chief Technology Officer, and Rajkumar Mathiravedu, Orica Digital Solutions Senior Vice President, shared how innovations like Avatel™ and Next Gen SHOTPlus™, along with other integrated solutions, are creating a digital backbone for the drill and blast process. These advancements are enabling the adoption of new mining methods, enhancing safety, and boosting productivity. Melbourne emphasized the importance of automation in this digital push: “You cannot automate unless you have a digital foundation.” He explained that safety and productivity are key drivers for automation, stating, “Getting people off the bench, face, voids, high walls, etc becomes a clear motivator for automating certain processes.”

The Avatel™ system, showcased at MINExpo, exemplifies this approach. Melbourne highlighted its potential for full automation:

The goal is to go fully autonomous. Semi-automation advances safety and productivity, but full automation could unlock new mining methods and access previously unreachable parts of the mine.

Mathiravedu emphasized the value creation through digital tools:

With all the tools and expertise we have, plus the ability to connect the physical and digital components, we are making the whole process more productive, as well as optimising the use of consumables like water and energy.
 

He also highlighted the role of Next Gen SHOTPlus™ in these digital integrations, which enables drill and blast engineers to model and predict blast movement, damage, and vibration, further enhancing operational efficiency.

Discover more about Orica’s groundbreaking technologies and their vision for the future of mining. Read the full article here

About Avatel™

Avatel™ is a revolutionary mechanised development charging system designed for underground mining. It integrates Orica’s WebGen™ wireless initiation system with Epiroc’s Boomer M2C carrier, providing a complete solution for explosives delivery and blasting operations. This system enhances safety and productivity by allowing full control over blast energy from design through to execution12.

About Next Gen SHOTPLUS™

Next Gen SHOTPlus™ is an advanced drill and blast design software that combines high-performance visualisation, best-in-class design tools, and predictive modeling capabilities. It enables users to assess the impact of engineering decisions and design the highest value blast for any situation. Powered by the Orica Digital Solutions Platform, it features the Model Through Time, a cloud-hosted digital replica of mining operations, allowing real-time tracking and collaborative blast design

Find out more about Next Gen SHOTPlus™