OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
As a global leader in mining and infrastructure solutions, Orica is committed to sustainably mobilising the earth's resources. We leverage our cutting-edge technologies to drive innovative solutions that help our customers reduce their environmental impact while improving operational efficiency.
Our approach ensures we address the entire value chain, from product development to end-of-life management.
Blasting Solutions
Exelᵀᴹ Neo
Neo is Orica’s brand for lead-free detonators, which use the unique, proven NPED (Non Primary Explosives Detonator) technology for safe and reliable initiation of explosives. Neo offers the same reliable performance as always, backed by over 20 years of Orica’s proven technology.
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Fortis™ Protect
Fortis™ Protect is a premium bulk explosive product specifically designed for use in the most arduous wet blast hole applications, such as dynamic water or when the minimisation of the risk of nitrate leaching is required and is often used in conjunction with the Nitrate Risk Reduction framework.
The product uses a combination of advanced surface chemistry in combination with increased viscosity to significantly improve the robustness of the product.
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Nitrate Risk Reduction Framework
Orica’s Nitrate Risk Reduction is a collaborative approach to the management and reduction of nitrate on the mine site, from bulk plant to blasting operations. The framework uses a simple, three step approach that includes engaging the site, an in-depth audit, and solution using a combination of products and services.
Nitrate risk reduction approach will thoroughly uncover the pathways for nitrate leaching into water systems from the ammonium nitrate based bulk explosives to blasting operations at mine sites and create cost-effective solutions to reduce the risk.
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4Dᵀᴹ
Orica's 4D™ System revolutionises the explosives selection process by focusing on delivered energy rather than generalised properties like density. This system allows for adjustable energy levels within blast holes.
The implementation of 4D™ technologies in Surface and Underground applications significantly enhances mining efficiency in several ways:
- Optimised explosives use: By precisely tailoring the energy delivered to blasts, 4D™ technologies reduce the amount of explosives needed without compromising the effectiveness of the blast. This leads to reduced environmental impact and cost savings.
- Increased precision: The innovative process control and whole-systems thinking embedded in 4D™ technologies ensure that explosives are applied more accurately. This precision minimises waste and maximises the effectiveness of each blast.
- Improved operational efficiency: With better control over the blasting process, mining operations can achieve more consistent and predictable results. This reduces downtime and increases overall productivity.
- Sustainability benefits: By reducing explosives consumption and associated carbon emissions, 4D™ technologies contribute to more sustainable mining practices. The integration of digital solutions like SHOTPlus™, IES, and BlastIQ™ further supports lower impact mining practices by providing data-driven insights and real-time monitoring, which help in making more informed and environmentally responsible decisions.
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Cycloᵀᴹ
Cyclo™ is an innovative Orica system that converts used oil from mine-site heavy machinery into a feedstock for ammonium nitrate emulsion (ANE) manufacture, and process fuel substitution, replacing other hydrocarbon fuels like diesel. This processed oil is treated on-site using Orica's modular, containerised process, contributing to a local mine-based circular economy. By processing used oil on-site and reducing diesel usage for bulk explosive manufacture, Cyclo™ eliminates the need for transporting and disposing of used oil at costly offsite facilities. The subsequent reduction in truck movements through local communities not only provides social benefits but also decreases the embedded energy associated with transporting virgin diesel to the site.
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Digital Solutions
RHINO™
RHINO™ is a drillstring-mounted geophysical sensor that provides Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) with fine spatial sampling while drilling and streams it in real-time to the cloud. Enabling miners to reduce ore dilution and achieve better blasting outcomes. RHINO™ helps with the prediction of key mill performance metrics, allowing to adjust mill operations based on rock hardness and fragmentation data for incoming blasted rock.
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Integrated Extraction Simulator
The Integrated extraction Simulator (IES) is an innovative simulator that enables rapid evaluation of processing scenarios across the mining value chain to enhance plant productivity, optimise economic value, and minimise the environmental impacts of mining activity and mineral recovery. By seamlessly integrating physics-based equipment models with machine learning, IES enables optimisation of all or part of an operation. Accessible via a web-based platform, it delivers operational insights to guide short, medium or long-term design or optimisation goals.
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Geosolutions Hazard Monitoring
Slope failures and tailings dam collapses are common in mining operations. Orica Digital Solutions GroundProbe advanced ground-based radars and 3VGeomatics InSAR technologies can detect movement and warn of a collapse, providing invaluable information to help customers manage risks effectively.
With GroundProbe, miners receive timely alerts to halt operations and evacuate personnel. This proactive approach not only saves lives but also helps maintain a mine's social license to operate.
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Specialty Mining Chemicals
Optexᵀᴹ Low Carbon Emulsifer Range
Optex Low Carbon Emulsifiers delivers 70-85% lower carbon emissions compared to the standard Optex Emulsifier range.
The range comes as part of Orica's efforts to offer customers sustainable solutions and assist in enabling them to meet their sustainability goals. The emulsifier range has achieved its low carbon credentials through production methods which use key inputs derived from renewable feedstocks that contain biogenic carbon.
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OUR TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
As a company built on innovation and technology, we have scientists, chemists and engineers working together around the world with industry partners, governments and our customers to look at how we solve the challenges we face as an industry in our quest to reduce emissions.
The following technology projects highlight orica's strategic focus on integrating cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices to drive the future of mining. By prioritising emissions reduction, operational efficiency, and environmental responsibility, we hope to be a part of the movement setting new standards for the industry and paving the way for a more sustainable future.
Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) MMU™
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As a technology leader, Orica is investigating the development of a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) Mobile Manufacturing Unit™ (MMU™) for delivering explosives in blasting areas. This initiative targets a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to cleaner and more sustainable mining operations.
The development of this electrified MMU™ not only aligns with Orica's ambition to achieve NetZero emissions by 2050 it also supports our customers in achieving their own ESG goals, including the transition from Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) MMU™ fleets to BEV fleets in the coming years. Additionally, the initiative includes preparing on-site infrastructure for charging stations, which will also support auxiliary equipment such as light vehicles, magazine trucks, stemming trucks, and forklifts.
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In Place Recovery (IPR)
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In-Place Recovery (IPR) represents a transformative shift in mining practices, offering a more sustainable and cost-effective approach to mineral extraction, particularly for low-grade and deeper deposits. Unlike in-situ recovery (ISR), which targets naturally permeable ore deposits, IPR involves blasting hard rock formations to create permeability. This process includes applying a lixiviant to dissolve metal-bearing minerals and collecting the pregnant leach solution (PLS) for surface processing.
IPR significantly reduces the need for transporting blasted ore to the surface, thereby lowering emissions, water consumption, surface disturbance, and eliminating tailings. Orica, in collaboration with research partners and supported by a 3-year Australian government Cooperative Research Centre Projects (CRC-P) Grant, is leading a multidisciplinary project to optimise IPR through laboratory testing, advanced modelling, and proof-of-concept field trials. This project aims to enhance the feasibility and viability of IPR for low-grade copper reserves, increasing production rates while achieving sustainability objectives. |
Renewable energy and lower carbon feedstocks
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Orica operates in a hard-to-abate sector and achieving net zero emissions means considering a range of technology options to reduce reliance on fossil-fuels, and further decarbonise our operations, raw materials, and downstream products. In our downstream value chain, Orica’s most material source of Scope 3 emissions arise from the use of our product, primarily blasting activities.
Key technology strategies include using renewable feedstocks like hydrogen and biomethane, and implementing carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS). These strategies will help Orica reduce GHG emissions across our own value chain, as well as that of our customers. We are currently supporting a demonstration plant at Kooragang Island to scale-up technology that can produce construction materials from captured CO2. Additionally, renewable diesel is being explored to reduce emissions from blasting activities. This also has the potential to create a circular economy by using CO2 waste from ammonia production to produce this renewable feedstock for use in Orica’s fleet vehicles and bulk explosives. |
Low-carbon Technical Ammonium Nitrate (TAN)
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Orica and Fertiberia have partnered to successfully execute the first blast using low-carbon Technical Ammonium Nitrate (TAN) at the Canteras de Santullán quarry in Spain. This milestone follows the announcement in September 2023, where Orica and Fertiberia unveiled their collaboration to provide low-carbon TAN to customers seeking sustainable blasting solutions.
For the blast at the Canteras de Santullán, Orica used ammonium nitrate produced by Fertiberia using renewable hydrogen, resulting in a low-carbon explosive product. For the first time, conventional explosives were replaced with an innovative and more sustainable product, marking its first industrial-scale use.
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