DRILLING & BLASTING
Mini booster from AECI debuts at Mining Indaba 2026 AECI, a mining solutions partner focused on practical integration across explosives and electronic initiation unveiled the Mini Booster, a compact booster designed to deliver reliable initiation in smalldiameter holes, particularly in underground and constrained blasting environments, at Mining Indaba 2026. “U nderground headings across the region are tight and timebound,” says Jaco Human, Vice President: International
at AECI. “The mini booster gives crews dependable pickup sensitivity and simple coupling so preparation stays swift and outcomes remain consistent.” The operating challenge Underground mining often requires blasting in narrow headings, development ends and smalldiameter boreholes where space and access are limited. In these conditions, inconsistent initiation can compromise fragmentation, delay cycles and increase rework. Crews need a compact booster that integrates with existing initiation systems and delivers dependable detonation without adding complexity. The mini booster is positioned to meet this requirement. What the mini booster is and how it works The mini booster is a compact, highenergy Pentolite cast booster developed for use with noncap sensitive bulk explosives in smalldiameter holes. Its design focuses on reliability and ease of handling in constrained environments. The mini booster: • Delivers strong pickup sensitivity to support consistent initiation. • Allows quick, straightforward coupling during charging. • Is compatible with nonelectric, electric and electronic fullstrength detonators. • Is sized for underground use where borehole diameters are limited. “We designed it to support safe, repeatable initiation without adding steps,” adds Morne Stiglingh, Vice President: Strategic Marketing and Technology, Mining Explosives at AECI. “The aim is simple. Keep the device compact, the coupling intuitive and the results consistent in confined headings.” Intended performance and use cases The mini booster has been developed to support:
AECI • AECI is a specialty product and services Group of companies that provides value-adding solutions to customers through science, technology and industry knowledge. The focus is on serving the mining and manufacturing sectors.
Onsite discussions and product access at Mining Indaba AECI teams engaged with customers at Mining Indaba 2026 to discuss mini booster applications in underground and constrained blasting environments. Detailed product information, application guidance and technical support were available on request at the AECI stand and through postevent followups. “Reliability at initiation is what keeps the cycle answer for smalldiameter work because it fits the workflow, supports predictable results and helps teams keep development on plan,” concludes Human. n moving. The Mini Booster is a practical
• Dependable initiation in small diameter boreholes used in underground mining. • Improved consistency in development ends and constrained headings. • Compatibility across initiation systems already in use on site. • Faster, more predictable preparation in spacelimited environments. Key attributes at a glance • Compact booster designed for smalldiameter
AECI unveiled the Mini Booster, a compact booster designed to deliver reliable
boreholes in underground applications. • Highenergy Pentolite cast formulation for reliable pickup sensitivity. • Compatible with
initiation in smalldiameter holes, particularly in underground and constrained blasting environments, at Mining Indaba 2026.
nonelectric, electric and electronic fullstrength detonators. • Simple coupling to support efficient preparation in confined spaces.
28 MODERN MINING www.modernminingmagazine.co.za | March 2026
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