THINKING OUTSIDE THE EXPLOSIVES BOX
Conditions in Africa are often harsh and unforgiving, creating an environment more hostile to mining than most. When roads end, temperatures soar or plummet, and security risks escalate, extraordinary explosives storage solutions may be needed. By Johan von Landsberg, Technical Manager at Mining and Energy Acuity (MEA).
W hile the management has to adhere to demanding safety and regulatory frameworks. People’s lives and wellbeing, the safety of surrounding communities, project continuity, and the integrity of expensive goods are on the line. However, sometimes tried-and- tested standard storage practices just don’t cut it. Situations aren’t always ideal – some mines have no choice but to operate close to urban centres, while others are located deep in the untamed African bush. Sometimes they’re even located in conflict zones, where explosives African mining landscape can be unpredictable, explosives
like the DRC, central Mozambique, or northern Botswana, transport is often unpredictable and roads vanish into seasonal mud. In such conditions, explosives must often be stored closer to the workface to avoid costly stoppages. Sometimes, especially with large projects, warehouses are warranted. But mostly, containerised or modular magazines, designed for mobility, are the only option. These units can be trucked in, dragged over rough terrain, or even flown in by helicopter. Unlike fixed bunkers, mobile designs must combine portability with full regulatory safety features. MEA has extensive experience in transporting materials through
are highly coveted for non- industrial means. In these types of situations, specialised explosives management solutions providers like Mining and Energy Acuity (MEA) are critical for keeping everything above the line and the supply chain flowing. In these rarer but significant designed to meet the demands of specific conditions under complex environmental and socio-economic circumstances. cases, operators must turn to atypical storage solutions Remote or inaccessible sites For example, the further a project moves from established infra- structure, the harder it is to rely on centralised magazines. In regions
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