Success Stories Ensuring mine safety
Maximize the control of detonation on the slope
Quellaveco is a copper mine located in Peru. The mine has unique geotechnical characteristics that require special attention. Traditional explosives, such as heavy anfo gasified, have highly energetic properties, making it challenging to manage mine conditions carefully. To reduce the velocity of the detonation wave (VOD) and minimize the impact on the walls, Anglo American needed an emulsion with a lower density and energy.
Thanks to the unwavering commitment of the Enaex team, we were able to develop a new product called Control®. Since using it in our daily operations, we have noticed a significant improvement in our safety and efficiency levels. The product has been performing well in tests and has proved essential to our operations.
Daygor Martínez,
Drilling & Blasting leader at Quellaveco mine, Anglo American
A tailor-made emulsion
After several tests and measurements, the Enaex Peru team developed a low-density solution using EPS (Expanded Polystyrene). In this alternative, the physical sensitization of the emulsion makes it possible to obtain lower densities, resulting in lower VOD and energy than conventional explosives.
A tailor-made emulsion for our customer
20% to 34% lower cost per fragmented tonne
25% – 30% less VOD per blast compared to previous product
39% to 42% less useful energy (Mj/kg as calculated by Gurney)
A safer and more efficient operation
Thanks to this emulsion, we improved wall stability and generated benches with a lower risk of failure based on near-field cross-hole data.
In addition to improving mine safety, we reduced operational costs. A usual explosive mix costs 0.518 USD/t per fragmented ton, while with Control® 80, the price is 0.345 USD/t, and Control® 100 is 0.415 USD/t. Therefore, the economic benefits were evident.
The Quellaveco Mine faces complicated structural conditions that require high levels of care when dealing with vibrations. To address this, we developed a stronger relationship with our client by listening to their needs and making their challenges our own. Through innovation and entrepreneurship, we created a custom bulk emulsion that provided greater control and safety on slopes while reducing vibrational impact and minimizing the risk of accidents. Moreover, we exceeded our client’s expectations by offering a more cost-effective solution than their previous product.
