Orica’s Exel™ Neo lead-free non-electric detonator range has won the 2023 Mining Magazine Award for Technology and Innovation in Surface Mining.
January 22, 2024 -- In September 2023, Orica announced the launch of Exel™ Neo non-electric detonator range to address the market need for environmentally friendly initiation systems. The product has been successfully trialled at quarrying and mining sites across Europe and is now available for shipment.
Manufactured close to the customer base in Europe, Exel™ Neo detonators use the proven Non Primary Explosives Detonator (NPED) technology and are therefore free of lead azide and any other lead compounds in the pyrotechnic delay compositions or within the detonator. Neo is Orica’s new brand for environmentally friendly, sustainable initiation systems products.
The Exel™ Neo range can be used in quarry and construction projects, underground and surface mining operations. The product performs with the same precision levels as Orica’s standard Exel™ detonators, tested by an accredited laboratory as part of the CE certification process (including for the timing delay accuracy and scatter patterns).
In brief
Orica says its Exel Neo lead-free non-electric detonator range received the 2023 Mining Magazine Award for Technology and Innovation in Surface Mining. The company launched the range in September 2023 to meet demand for initiation systems it describes as environmentally friendly. Orica says the product has been trialled at quarry and mining sites in Europe and is available for shipment. Manufactured in Gyttorp, Sweden, the detonators use Non Primary Explosives Detonator technology and do not contain lead compounds in their pyrotechnic delay compositions or detonators. The range is intended for quarrying, construction, underground mining and surface mining. Orica says accredited laboratory testing for CE certification found timing accuracy and scatter patterns comparable to its standard Exel detonators. Company executives described the award as recognition of the product and its development.
Key takeaways
- Orica says Exel Neo won the 2023 Mining Magazine award for surface mining technology and innovation.
- The detonator range uses Non Primary Explosives Detonator technology and is lead-free, according to Orica.
- Orica says the product has been trialled at European quarry and mining sites and is available for shipment.
- The product is manufactured in Gyttorp, Sweden, and is intended for mining, quarrying and construction.
Find out more: orica.com/ExelNeo
Orica’s Chief Technology Officer Angus Melbourne said: “With 150 years of expertise in technology, we are proud to see the lead-free Exel™ Neo product range being recognised for the exceptional innovation that it is. This is a significant breakthrough for the industry. We are taking this opportunity to thank our global and regional experts on delivering this cutting-edge technology to the market, with more updates to follow in due course.”
This sentiment was further shared by Orica’s Group Executive and EMEA President James Bonnor saying:
“We are thrilled to be able to offer the world’s first lead-free detonator range to our customers. This milestone reflects our commitment to delivering innovative solutions to the market, and we are excited to see the positive impact it will have on our customers and the environment. The Exel™ Neo product range of more environmentally friendly and sustainable detonators is the step in the right direction as we continue to help our customers meet their productivity, environmental, social and governance aspirations.”
Exel™ Neo products manufactured in Gyttorp, Sweden
Exel™ Neo manufacturing team based in Gyttorp, Sweden
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Questions around this news
What makes Exel Neo a lead-free detonator?
According to the release, the detonators use Non Primary Explosives Detonator technology and contain no lead azide or other lead compounds in their pyrotechnic delay compositions or elsewhere within the detonator. The release describes the range as designed to address demand for more environmentally friendly initiation systems.
How does a non-electric detonator work?
A non-electric detonator initiates an explosive charge without relying on an electrical firing circuit at the detonator. Depending on its design, an initiation signal is transmitted through a non-electric pathway, and a delay element can control when the detonator fires. Such systems are used in blasting operations where controlled initiation is required.
Where can Exel Neo detonators be used?
The release says the range is suitable for quarrying and construction projects, as well as underground and surface mining operations. It also reports that the product had been trialled at quarrying and mining sites across Europe and was available for shipment when the release was published.
Earlier from Orica
- ADVANCING DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY IN THE MINING INDUSTRY, ORICA UNVEILS ITS FIRST ORICA DIGITAL SOLUTIONS CENTRE IN ASIA
- ORICA UPGRADES ITS ELECTRONIC BLASTING TECHNOLOGIES TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE AND USABILITY
- ORICA ELIMINATES A QUARTER OF A MILLION TONNES OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS FROM HUNTER SITE
- ORICA NAMED MOST INNOVATIVE LARGE COMPANY FOR 2023
