In a recent discussion highlighted in Global Mining Review, Orica’s Washington Vilas Boas, specializing in Technical Services in Blasting Engineering, and Lucas Steffen from Kinross Gold’s Morro do Ouro mine in Brazil, shared insights into how Orica’s WebGen™ wireless initiating system contributed to Kinross’s adoption of innovative solutions for operational flexibility, productivity, safety, and social responsibility.
Situated in Paracatu, northwest Minas Gerais, Kinross Morro do Ouro operation stands as Brazil’s largest surface gold mine, contributing about 22% of the nation’s gold production. However, the mine confronts distinct challenges, particularly the need for meticulous operational execution due to its close proximity to local communities, with residences merely 500 meters away from the mining pit. To effectively operate while adhering to stringent environmental standards set by Kinross, the mine pursued novel technologies and refined operational strategies.
Recognizing the intricacies of the situation, Orica and Kinross collaborated to enhance drilling and blasting operations, leveraging WebGen™ for its adaptability, efficiency, safety, and environmental management capabilities.
Lucas Steffen of Kinross elaborated on the challenges faced:
“We encountered some challenges due to our proximity to communities (200m) …challenges such as vibration, flyrock, dust, and wall control. Consequently, we opted to partner with Orica due to their expertise in technical services. Maintaining respect for our community is paramount for Kinross.”
Washington Vilas Boas of Orica further added:
“Kinross demonstrated openness to adopting new technologies to optimize our processes. In the realm of drilling and blasting, we innovatively utilized BlastIQ™ for precise operational control. FRAGTrack™ is another example, enabling real-time assessment of rock fragmentation during excavation. Additionally, Flexigel™ was employed to mitigate vibration, while WebGen™ facilitated controlled blasting and enhanced safety measures.”
The integration of WebGen™ at Morro do Ouro underscored its transformative potential, streamlining blast scheduling and enhancing dust suppression to drive operational efficiencies and environmental stewardship. This advancement underscores Orica’s dedication to furnishing mining enterprises with cutting-edge solutions prioritizing safety, productivity, and sustainability.
