How has Orica’s business evolved in the past year?

We consistently introduce the latest technology to the market, and this year has been particularly significant for new innovations and growth through acquisitions. Notably, we acquired Cyanco, a leading cyanide producer, enhancing our portfolio and aligning with our strategy to extend beyond blasting, focusing on the entire mining value chain. We also acquired Terra Insights in December 2023, which is the perfect complement to our Digital Solutions portfolio merging innovative geotechnical technologies and capabilities with advanced geospatial instrumentation and expertise. Orica Digital Solutions’ Geosolutions with GroundProbe, Measurand, 3vGeomatics, Navstar, RST instruments and Syscom Instruments enables a multidimensional geotechnical and geospatial view of mining and infrastructure operations, allowing for unparalleled confidence in risk assessment and decision-making. 

How important is Africa within Orica’s global operations? 

Africa used to represent a small portion of our revenue, but over the past three years, we have nearly tripled our business here. We see Africa as a key growth region with great potential in the global mining industry, especially as it becomes a major supplier of the minerals needed for the green energy transition. 

Can you share some exciting technological developments that Orica is planning to introduce in Africa?

A great recent and disruptive innovation is WebGen™ 200, our wireless initiating system which eliminates the need for down-lines and surface connecting wires. It communicates through rock, air, and water to initiate blasts reliably and safely, increasing ore recovery and reducing blasting costs. This system is gaining traction in Africa, with successful trials in Mali and South Africa. 

This year, we are launching the full commercialization of Avatel™, a partnership with Epiroc that automates the charging of bulk explosives in tunnel development, enhancing safety and productivity. Another innovation that has gained traction in recent years is FRAGTrack™, our state-of-the-art fragmentation measurement tool that uses advanced machine vision technologies on shovels, conveyors, crushers, gantries and Front-end Loaders to enable automated post-blast measurement and analysis. It delivers online fragmentation data, benchmarks and insights needed to ensure sustainable and cost-effective improvements.  One of our latest innovations is the 4D™ Bulk System, a revolutionary solution for bulk explosives that allows unparalleled blast control by delivering precise explosives energy to varying geology across major mining operations. Combined with Orica’s digital technologies like BlastIQ™, 4D™ enhances efficiencies with optimised blast outcomes including improved fragmentation, license to operate and productivity gains while reducing explosives consumption. 

Beyond blasting, Orica Digital Solutions can help our customers better understand the orebody with Axis tools from the waste before blasting and the extraction process with products. RHINO™ is an autonomous drillstring-mounted geophysical sensor that determines unconfined compressive strength while drilling. Our OREPro™ 3D software application models blast movement, enabling situational awareness and improved grade control. It uses readily available mine data as inputs, including blast designs, in-situ block models, and post-blast muckpile surveys, giving the right intelligence at the right time for our customers to optimise blast outcomes. 

Can you elaborate on Orica’s decarbonization strategy in Africa?

We have set ambitious goals in Africa as part of our commitment to delivering community value. Orica has a net zero program by 2050 and is starting with initiatives that can deliver rapid value. In Africa we focus on helping customers reduce their carbon footprint. We employ several technologies to achieve this, such as Cyclo™, an automated used-oil recycling service that allows waste oil from mine sites to be used in the manufacture of our bulk explosives. This technology is mobile and easily deployable, and it has already proven to be an effective tool in Senegal and Ghana. It reduces the amount of waste oil in mining operations as well as transportation needs and simultaneously promotes circular economy. Additionally, we are working to eliminate nitrate leaching into the ground, further mitigating our environmental impact. 

What are some of Orica’s most important social initiatives in Africa?

We are very proud of Orica’s social initiatives in Africa, especially those supporting women’s leadership. For instance, in Mauritania, we have a program with our customer that integrates women into technical roles across our operations, providing opportunities for talented females in countries with high gender inequality. We also run programs that focus on partnering with local communities, developing local talent, supporting orphanages, and assisting girls who are victims of human trafficking. Our goal is not only to provide value for our shareholders and customers but also for our people and communities.