Orica (ASX: ORI) celebrates over 500,000 primers fired globally with their patented WebGen™ wireless initiating system.

Orica has achieved a significant achievement in the evolution of wireless blasting technology, with more than 500,000 WebGen™ primers fired globally. The milestone reflects the strong adoption of WebGen™ across surface and underground mining operations and reinforces Orica’s commitment to helping customers operate more safely, efficiently and productively.

WebGen™’s patented wireless initiation system eliminates downlines and surface wiring, enabling underground mines to precharge, redesign extraction sequences and remove personnel from high-risk areas — improving both safety and operational flexibility. For surface operations, WebGen™ reduces exposure hours to hazardous zones such as working under highwalls and can maintain access to parts of the mine that may become sterilised when loaded with conventional initiation systems. By using WebGen™, the pattern can be turned into a haul road to maintain access for the mining sequence to complete in full and optimise movements of ancillary equipment.

Orica’s Vice President, Commercialisation Nigel Pereira said the milestone underscores the real-world value WebGen™ is delivering for customers:

“This isn’t just a technology milestone — it’s a customer milestone. Every WebGen™ primer fired represents a safer work environment, a more efficient blast, or recovered ore that would have been otherwise lost. We’re proud to partner with customers who are setting a new standard for what’s possible in mining.”

Recent deployments highlight this value:

• At Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada, WebGen™ helped reduce hole cleaning by 39%, unlock up to 18,000 tonnes of preloaded ore inventory, and enable safe remote blasting in Arctic underground conditions.
  Download case study: Operational benefits delivered with WebGen™ at Diavik's Diamond Mine
• At St Ives Gold Mine in Western Australia, the technology eliminated over 490 metres of development, reclaimed 1,500 tonnes of high-grade ore, and helped the mine achieve 116.5% of targeted production in key stopes.
  Download case study Unlocking safety and efficiency with WebGen™ at St Ives Mine

“ These examples show why wireless blasting is becoming the preferred method for operations looking to improve safety and performance. "Reaching 500,000 primers fired is just the beginning — the opportunities ahead are enormous.” said Pereira