Blasting Solutions

BlastPED
The BlastPED system is used exclusively for centralized remote blasting in underground mines. It eliminates the use of extensive firing cable networks by using remote receivers/exploders to initiate electric detonators (blasting caps). This greatly reduces the safety risk associated with underground blasting, as it eliminates for example induction which may occur in larger firing cable networks. The BlastPED system consists of a PC (with BlastPED software), modulator and PED headend above ground. The headend is connected to a large loop antenna which may be situated above ground or underground running through old works. Blasting is done by placing the BlastPED receiver which is connected to the electric detonators at the blasting site underground. The whole system is controlled from the PC above ground. The modulator above ground encodes the signal sent below ground, and the signal is decoded by the BlastPED receiver. This ensures absolute integrity of the signal transmitted below ground to ensure optimum safety. Safety of the BlastPED system is further optimised by the requirement that two commands must be received by the receiver underground, (ARM and BLAST command), before blasting can take place. A 10 minute interval also exists after the ARM command is received, in which the BLAST command must be sent otherwise the system resets. On top of this the firing codes to be able to initiate a blast is located on a specially encoded  external hard disk which must only be in the position of authorized users of the system.

BlastPED ST
The BlastPED ST system is specially designed for use in surface blasting applications. It does not utilize the PED headend for transmission of commands, but rather a special remote which send signals to the PED receiver. The BlastPED ST receiver differ from the BlastPED receiver used for underground mining in the sense that the BlastPED initiates electric detonators while the BlastPED ST initiates signal tubes (shock tubes) directly. The BlastPED ST system only consists of the BlastPED receiver and remote, of which the receiver is placed near the blasting site, and the remote is operated by a blasting technician. The remote and receiver must have line of sight and can communicate over a distance of up to 4 kilometres. The BlastPED ST thus hughely increases the security of mine personnel during blasts. The saving of signal tubes cause tremendous cost savings that can lead to system payback in a very short period of time. The use of the system also cause saving on production time, as very little time is needed to set up the system in comparison with the traditional firing methods using only signal tubes, where the area must be evacuated before the tubes can be placed at the blasting site. Like the BlastPED system, the BlastPED ST system also needs two separate commands to initiate a blast for extra security. A 15 seconds interval exists between the ARM and BLAST commands before the system will reset itself for added security.