Could you update us on the latest developments and the integration between Titanobel and Dyno Nobel?

The integration has been successful, marrying Titanobel’s African footprint with Dyno Nobel’s mining legacy and R&D prowess to create a stronger entity. More recently, the organisation has created a new business growth unit called DNEL that encompasses Dyno Nobel in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latam. 

Within Africa, we have secured a number of strategic client wins, strengthening our local footprint.  Most significantly, we have signed an agreement with AngloGoldAshanti. While West Africa remains our strongest growth territory, we continue to make inroads in both Southern and Central Africa. 

Dyno Nobel continues to innovate and invest in our future, most recently in the USA with the inauguration of a new research facility in Utah which will help to support innovation across Dyno Nobel globally.

What are Dyno Nobel’s latest innovations?

Dyno Nobel has brought to the African market our premium emulsion products DIFFERENTIAL ENERGY® (ΔE) and ΔE2, as well as our electronic detonators DigiShot® Plus XR. ΔE is designed to load an ammonium nitrate emulsion at a single low density, and ΔE2 can customize the density of the emulsion within the hole, thereby meeting the specific energy requirements of the ore body. We believe that DigiShot® Plus XR is the most accurate and precise electronic initiation system (EIS) for any size blast, enabling users to speed up deployment and loading, reduce blast delays and user errors, thereby improving safety and blast outcomes.  DigiShot Plus XR is one of the most advanced operating systems with downstream processing impacts like crusher throughput optimization, programmable blast patterns, and a maximum of 16,000 detonators. Our innovations are focused on improving blast outcomes and explosives efficiency, driving substantial savings while also making lower-grade ore bodies more accessible. We note that segments of the African market put reliability above technology, so we follow the rhythm and needs of this market to ensure customer satisfaction at any desired technology threshold.

Could you also introduce our readers to Dyno Nobel’s digital solutions? 

Nobel Fire® is an advanced blast design and optimization tool that integrates with our customers’ digital ecosystem to provide software solutions. From field data collection to design and from blast reconciliation to compliance reporting, Nobel Fire ® has everything an operation needs to design, execute, report and improve blasting. An exciting product we have developed over the past couple of years is our CyberDet I® solution, which allows operators to work in a safer environment during the blast loading process, and the technology also facilitates a shorter blast cycle. 

How do you help mining clients reduce their GHG profile?

Firstly, we can incorporate recycled or waste oils into emulsion manufacturing. Taking these waste materials out of the environment where they could be disposed of inappropriately is potentially advantageous to the client. Performance is maintained as these innovative emulsions are formulated with more advanced chemical molecules. 

Secondly, we have specific formulations like our low-fume explosive TITAN® 9000xero, which has proven to dramatically reduce NOx fumes after blasting. Such products assist in compliance with the increasingly more stringent environmental regulations controlling the use of chemicals. 

Is the growing trend of local content laws an impediment to business in Africa for an international player?

Local content regulations are a reality we are pleased to adapt to. There are several ways of navigating these, including forging joint venture or partnership agreements with local suppliers, creating mutual benefit. It certainly helps to have been in the industry for many years and to understand the nuances of the mining community across the continent to be able to identify the best, most trustworthy organisations with whom to partner. 

What are the safety measures and precautions Dyno Nobel takes for the transportation of explosives?

Having portable modular emulsion plants at the clients’ sites greatly reduces risks as there is a reduced quantity of product on the road and a corresponding lower frequency of transport. Dyno Nobel strictly adheres to the relevant transport regulations; in places like Ghana, these regulations are mature and well-defined, and in regions with less developed regulatory framework, we apply the most appropriate best practice and standard.  For Dyno Nobel, this is often the Australian rules regarding the transportation of dangerous goods, which are some of the most stringent standards globally. 

Do you have a final message for our audience? 

The new Dyno Nobel, under our new executive leadership, and with a new corporate structure, is in a far stronger position to service global clients than we have ever been before.