Shubham Choudhari, Chief Technology Officer, SBL Energy, explains how their technologies help reduce the environmental impact of the mining process.

Sustainable mining is increasingly critical across various industries. How does SBL Energy contribute to sustainability in mining, particularly with the use of industrial explosives in sectors like cement production?
At SBL Energy, sustainability is a core value, and we are committed to eco-friendly mining practices. Our contribution to sustainability is centred on developing and supplying high-quality, efficient explosives that optimise resource extraction while minimising environmental disruption. By utilising advanced bulk emulsion explosives and precision blasting techniques, we reduce over-blasting and material waste, which directly contributes to a lower environmental footprint in cement production. This approach supports sustainable mining by ensuring more efficient use of resources and reducing energy consumption.

What are the key environmental challenges associated with the use of industrial explosives in mining, and how is SBL Energy working to minimise the environmental impact of these explosives?
The use of industrial explosives presents key environmental challenges, including ground vibrations, air pollution from dust and gas emissions, and excessive material fragmentation. SBL Energy addresses these challenges by:

• Developing low-emission explosives, such as bulk emulsions, that reduce the release of harmful gases like NOx.
• Promoting the use of controlled blasting techniques to minimise ground vibrations and ensure precision in fragmentation, leading to less environmental disruption.
• Innovating non-electric detonators for more accurate blast timing, which reduces the risk of unwanted side effects such as excessive noise or ground instability (SBL version).

In the context of cement manufacturing, which relies heavily on raw material extraction, how can innovative blasting techniques help reduce the environmental footprint of quarrying operations?
Innovative blasting techniques play a significant role in reducing the environmental footprint of quarrying for cement manufacturing. At SBL Energy, we provide customised blasting solutions that:

• Optimise fragmentation to ensure that the extracted material is of the required size, which reduces the need for secondary crushing and lowers
  energy consumption.
• Reduce waste by minimising over breaks and ensuring that the maximum amount of usable material is extracted, decreasing the environmental burden of discarded materials.
• Lower emissions by using advanced bulk explosives that reduce the release of harmful gases and by employing more precise timing through electronic detonators, minimising the total number of blasts needed.

Could you elaborate on the role of non-electric detonators and bulk emulsion explosives in optimising energy efficiency and reducing emissions in mining operations for cement production?
Non-electric detonators provide precise timing control, ensuring that the blast sequence is synchronised, which helps achieve better fragmentation and reduces energy usage in post-blast processing like crushing and milling. They also reduce the need for complex wiring, making operations more efficient and reducing the risk of misfires.
Bulk emulsion explosives are another critical component. These explosives have a higher energy output compared to traditional explosives, enabling more effective blasts with less explosive material. This reduces the number of blasts required and thus cuts down emissions from multiple detonations. Additionally, bulk emulsions tend to be more environmentally friendly, as they produce fewer toxic gases and dust emissions.

The cement industry is a significant user of raw materials from mining.
How does SBL Energy’s technology improve resource recovery during blasting, ensuring more efficient extraction for
cement production?
At SBL Energy, we leverage advanced technology to improve resource recovery during blasting. Our precision blasting techniques ensure optimal rock fragmentation, minimising the need for re-blasting and ensuring that a higher proportion of extracted material is of high quality and ready for processing. This approach delivers several key benefits:

• Higher recovery rates: Less material is left in the ground, and more is recovered for cement production.
• Reduced material loss: By controlling the blast size and reducing overbreak, we minimise the amount of unusable material, ensuring that raw material extraction is more efficient and cost-effective.
• Increased operational efficiency: More accurate blasting translates to reduced transportation and processing costs, further lowering the environmental impact.What role does SBL Energy’s R&D play in innovating eco-friendly explosives or reducing the carbon footprint of mining operations in sectors like cement manufacturing?
  SBL Energy’s R&D division is deeply committed to the development of eco-friendly explosives and techniques that reduce the carbon footprint of mining operations. Our focus areas include:
• Developing biodegradable and low-toxicity materials in explosives to reduce environmental contamination.
  Advancing emulsion-based explosives that are more energy-efficient and produce fewer harmful by-products.
  Collaborating with our clients to integrate blasting optimisation software that calculates the most effective blast design, reducing fuel use, emissions, and overall environmental impact. Our R&D efforts continuously explore innovative materials and methods that contribute to greener mining practices

Sustainability often requires a holistic approach. How does SBL Energy assist its clients in developing comprehensive strategies for sustainable mining practices, from product usage to waste management, particularly in industries like cement?
At SBL Energy, we partner with our clients to create customised, sustainable mining strategies that extend beyond product application. We assist in:

• Optimising blasting operations to reduce waste, conserve energy, and enhance resource recovery.
• Implementing best practices for waste management, focusing on minimising the generation of unusable material during blasting.

This comprehensive approach helps our clients achieve greater sustainability throughout their operations, from raw material extraction to waste management.

Looking forward, what are some of the most promising trends or innovations in sustainable mining that SBL Energy is exploring, and how do you foresee these benefiting the cement industry?
SBL Energy is actively exploring several promising trends in sustainable mining, including:

• Electronic detonators: We are advancing the use of electronic detonators that enable more precise blast control, resulting in reduced energy consumption and improved blast efficiency.
• Automation and smart blasting: Utilising data analytics and machine learning to optimise blast designs for efficiency and environmental impact reduction. These innovations are expected to greatly benefit the cement industry by reducing operational costs, lowering emissions, and enhancing the overall sustainability of quarrying operations.