JAKARTA, Indonesia, Sep. 27, 2011 (ANTARA/PRNewswire-Asia-AsiaNet) --
Inaugural conference in Jakarta to discuss more consistent and cost-efficient drill and blast strategies for the Asian region
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
-- First conference of its kind designed to address drilling and blasting in specifically Asian context
-- Conference to highlight new mining technologies and techniques to improve productivity and quality of the industry
For the first time ever, economic demand from Asian countries has outstripped demand from the US and Europe, forcing material supply chains around the world to find new ways of serving their customers. This growth is challenging the mining industry in particular, which is tasked with providing Asia with the mineral resources it needs to grow.
Professionals from the mining industry in and around Asia will soon meet to discuss these challenges at the Drill & Blast Asia 2011 conference in Jakarta. The agenda will be to find new ways for maximising mining productivity and reducing commodity loss. The conference will also focus on work and explosives safety in the Asian context amidst rising prices of diesel oil and ammonium nitrate.
The current challenges have placed a focus on achieving drill and blast KPIs such as optimum fragmentation levels and reduction of blast vibration and fumes. Different mining companies have taken up different solutions.
"For blasting, we measure the blast effect in terms of vibration, noise and fumes - the impact on the surrounding environment. Geotech checking helps us to confirm our results," says Ramadoni of PT Rama Persada Contractors, Indonesia who will be speaking about blasting techniques in high production underground mines at the conference.
Focus on productive technologies
Drill and Blast Asia is expected to cover many of the new technologies, including electronics, to improve productivity as well as safety.
Andriko Satria of PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara says: "We have made use of many new technologies, most notably high-precision GPS for drilling, which allows us to control drilling, provide designs and give exact positions."
Ramadoni sees new challenges as drill and blast operations go deeper underground. "In the future, we will need to mine deeper than before in order to be productive enough. There is a need to connect geotechnics with drill and blast activities. As we go deeper, ensuring stability in mining is going to be first in importance."
Ramadoni and Andriko Satria are among over a dozen speakers who will be presenting best practices and strategies for drill and blast at the conference.
This is the first time that the Drill & Blast conference is being held to address specifically Asian markets and mining operations. In Australia, the Drill & Blast series is already in its third year. In 2010, the conference attracted over 80 delegates from drill and blast operations across the continent and Asia.
Drill & Blast Asia 2011 will be held from 5 to 7 December 2011 at Crowne Plaza Jakarta, Indonesia. For more information, visit www.drillandblastasia.com or send an email to enquiry@iqpc.com.sg.
For more information, please contact:
Maria Andersson
Tel: +65-6722-9404
Email: Maria.andersson@iqpc.com.sg
SOURCE: International Quality and Productivity Center (IQPC)
Editor: PR Wire
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
