34 APRIL 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® World’s First Semiautomatic Wireless Blast with Avatel™ Adapted from Information by Epiroc Epiroc and Orica, in partnership with Agnico Eagle, successfully commenced live blasting with Avatel™ - the world's first semiautomated wireless underground development charging solution at Agnico Eagle Mines Limited's Kittilä mine in Finland. This achievement brings the concept of improving safety at the face during the charging cycle, one of the riskiest activities in today’s underground mining, to life. This award-winning innovation allows a single operator to prepare, and wirelessly complete, a full charging cycle from the safety of an enclosed cabin without compromising the quality of the blast outcomes thanks to the integration of Epiroc and Orica’s flagship digital, automation, and blasting technologies. Sami Niiranen, president of Epiroc’s underground division said, “This is a true milestone achieved for our industry where Epiroc, in partnership with Orica, [has] led the way to safer underground operation. By building on our recognized solutions and advanced Rig Control System, Avatel paves the way to safe productivity for the mining industry.” Celebrating the significant accomplishment, Orica Chief Technology Officer Angus Melbourne said, “Together with Epiroc and Agnico Eagle we are extremely proud of the team in creating a solution that keeps people out of harm’s way during what is considered one of the highest risk activities for underground miners around the globe. “With Avatel, we can now effectively manage risk for the people who spend the most time every shift directly exposed to hazards at the development face while delivering all of the blast optimization benefits that Orica’s flagship technologies bring,” Melbourne added. “The combination of digital, automation, and wireless blasting technologies, and by partnering with customers and peers, we can continue [to] solve the industry’s biggest challenges across safety, productivity, and sustainability, together.” EXB
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