Underground Development Charging System

SAPHI plays an integral role in developing Orica’s latest product, Avatel – the most advanced underground development charging system ever designed.

Who Is Our Client?

Orica is the world’s largest provider of commercial explosives and innovative blasting systems to the mining, quarrying, oil and gas and construction markets, a leading supplier of sodium cyanide for gold extraction, and a specialist provider of ground support services in mining and tunnelling.

What Was The Problem?

Ordinarily, to conduct an underground explosion, a technician would be required to approach the mine face using a cherry picker and manually feed the explosives into the mine face. Avatel revolutionises this process by enabling the technician to remain in the vehicle’s cab.

The engineering team at SAPHI plays a lead role in the development of the low-level control code that remotely delivers the explosives as well as the software for the implementation of the user interface and 3rd party app integration into the control system. SAPHI continues to support, maintain and upgrade the software to ensure the ongoing success of the system.

What Was The Solution?

The engineering team at SAPHI plays an integral role in the development of the low-level control code, implementation of the user interface, 3rd party app integration into the control system. SAPHI continues to support, maintain and upgrade the software to ensure the ongoing success of the system.

What Were The Outcomes?

Improved advance rates through continued safe access
even in challenging conditions
Eliminating redundant face support systems
Reduced downtime
Significant safety improvements

What Skills Did SAPHI Use To Implement The Solution?

The tech stack and experience required for this job included a broad range of skills from our team of computer, electrical and software engineers, including: