Driving collaboration for safer outcomes

Driving collaboration for safer outcomes.

This month, Orica celebrated its 150th anniversary, a significant occasion that prompts reflection on our history, the shaping of our vision for our future, and, most importantly, a renewed commitment to our customer promise.

At Orica, safety is not just a priority; it is the foundation of everything we do. We pride ourselves on conducting our business safely and responsibly, from how we work with suppliers and manufacture our products to how we deliver for our customers. Our focus is on developing and deploying technologies that improve safety outcomes for our workforce, our customers, the communities we work in and the environment.

From our tailored solutions and innovative delivery systems to our cutting-edge digital technologies, we are dedicated to ensuring the highest safety standards in every aspect of our operations. Our success in driving better outcomes is reliant on our close collaboration and partnering for progress with our customers.

In this edition of Blasting and Beyond, we focus on Orica's commitment to safety and how close collaboration with our customers drives better outcomes.

Navigating Complexities in Mining and Infrastructure

The process of blasting inherently carries risks, encompassing challenges like air overpressure, ground vibration, fly rock, noise, dust, fumes, and leaching. These issues can present significant challenges for operations. Each site encounters a distinct set of challenges influenced by factors such as its community proximity, weather patterns and geological characteristics. Furthermore, the dynamic landscape of geopolitical and environmental regulations, shaped by forces like climate change and shifts in energy policies, underscores the importance of incorporating ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles in operational decision-making processes.

As weather patterns shift due to climate change, operations must plan for long-term sustainability while addressing immediate impacts like increased rainfall and adverse weather events that complicate blasting operations. These conditions can render traditional products unfit for purpose and lead to cost exceedances due to unforeseen delays. Additionally, operations must continue profitable operations despite harder-to-access orebodies, a shift toward underground operations, and production plateaus.

Considering these challenges, it’s critical that Orica works closely with our customers to understand their site-specific concerns and deliver solutions that improve safety and sustainability outcomes for our customers.

Delivering Customised Solutions through Consultation

Orica's range of products and services, from conventional bulk products and advanced initiating systems to innovative digital solutions, offers a unique value proposition that allows us to partner with our customers to optimise their operations and deliver safer and smarter solutions.

Achieving Environmental Excellence at Gahcho Kué, Canada

Providing a consultative framework to deliver an innovation-led outcome for a customer was key at the De Beers’ Gahcho Kué mine site in Canada. By successfully applying the Orica Nitrate Risk Reduction framework (see Figure 1) to their site, De Beers was able to successfully manage their nitrate risks.

Located in northern Canada's sub-Arctic region, the Gahcho Kué diamond mine (see Figure 2) is a joint venture between De Beers Canada Inc. (51 per cent) and Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. (49 per cent). As the operator, De Beers is committed to high safety and sustainability standards, with a deep respect for the land and its surrounding pristine water bodies.

Since its inception, Orica and De Beers have been working together at the Gahcho Kué  site to mitigate the environmental impacts of blasting, with a focus on the nitrate levels typically found in mine water. Although nitrate and ammonium levels were within regulatory limits, De Beers proactively sought to reduce nitrate generation under their Building Forever – Protecting the Natural World Initiative.

In 2020, De Beers engaged Orica to review the drill and blast process to align with industry best practices and improve safety and efficiency. Orica applied the Nitrate Risk Reduction (NRR) framework, a three-tiered approach to systematically reduce nitrate contributions from blasting in mine water.

"Orica's Nitrate Risk Reduction framework isn't just about tackling nitrate leaching; it's about forging a sustainable future for our customers. Our collaboration with key partners like Gahcho Kué showcases our commitment to solving our customers' challenges using effective frameworks (like NRR). With confidence in our strategic pillars, we're delivering smart solutions and partnering for progress while safeguarding the environment."

Yosep Irsana, Orica Manager of Marketing Surface Explosives

After establishing best practices on the bench and in blast design, the site launched a pilot program in early 2022 to evaluate Fortis™ Protect. This bulk explosives system, featuring a specially formulated emulsion blend and a modified explosives delivery system on an Orica Mobile Manufacturing Unit (MMU™), further reduced nitrates after best practices were implemented.

Upon completing the pilot program and a rigorous eight-month evaluation (see Figure 3), the site transitioned to using Fortis™ Protect 70 as the primary bulk explosive at the end of 2022. The environmental team at Gahcho Kué regularly monitors nitrate concentrations in mine water. Year-to-year results show a 78.85 per cent decrease in nitrate levels in 2023 compared to 2017.

"Partnering with our valued client De Beers since the start of mining operations at Gahcho Kué has shown the true power of teamwork. Their insights, dedication, and trust have ensured the success of the nitrate emission reduction project. This partnership has inspired us to develop a commercial offering that meets the stringent demands for sustainable mining practices. It is a privilege to work with such an exceptional team, whose commitment to excellence drives us towards a more sustainable and forward-thinking future in the mining industry."

Steve Jackson, Orica Technical Services Lead

The success at Gahcho Kué demonstrates how close collaboration with our customers and leveraging our ability to provide solutions across a range of products and services along the value chain can optimise key elements and deliver safe and successful results. This will become increasingly vital as mines face growing challenges related to safety and ESG.

Committed to Innovation and Customer Success

Orica’s ongoing commitment to superior innovation-led customer outcomes is unwavering. It is this steadfast commitment that will deliver the safe and sustainable practices of the future driven by innovative technology-driven solutions that will address the industry’s increasing challenges and drive sustainable growth.

We look forward to another 150 years of success, delivering value to our customers, employees, communities, and shareholders.

Find out more

Download the full case study or read more about our Nitrate Risk Reduction framework by visiting our website. Alternatively, come see our stand at MinExpo, Las Vegas, on the 24th-25th of September, where the Nitrate Risk Reduction framework will be just one of the many products and services showcased.