HotShot blast in Sao Paulo and the Amazon, Brasil

Group Americana SP’s quarry, “Basalto 3”, situated in the heart of Sao Paulo, Brazil has been initiating blasts with DetNet’s HotShot+ system since February 2008.

The main objective being to reduce blasting vibrations to meet levels set by the Brazilian authorities. With the technical assistance of DetNet and Britanite engineers, a reduction of 30% - 40% in blasting vibrations has been achieved. Further work is being undertaken to evaluate how much drilling patterns can be increased whilst maintaining the current rock fragmentation results.

São Matheus Lageado is another Sao Paulo quarry with similar blasting constraints resulting from its location in an urban environment. With the utilization of the HotShot+ system and the technical support of DetNet and Britanite engineers, it has been possible to increase the blast patterns and initiate larger blasts thus requiring fewer weekly blasts and consequently less disturbance to the community.

VALE is the second largest mining group in the world and owns iron ore, nickel and copper mines in the northern Amazonian regions of Brazil. Vale’s Sossego mine has recently commenced blasting with the HotShot+ system in order to evaluate the benefits of precise timing and the down-stream benefits resulting from improved fragmentation.

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Fine and even fragmentation from a HotShot+ blast at Basalto 3

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Blasting Team at Vale’s Sossego Mine (from left to right)
José Rojas (DetNet), Paulo Aguilera (DetNet), Paulo Sampaio (Britanite), Flavio Costa (Dexpol-Britanite), Claiton Camilo (Vale), Ricardo Da Silva (Britanite)