Independent decisions of the EVOBLAST Group at the session “New Times – New Heroes”

On October 10, 2024, an interactive session "New Times - New Heroes: from geological exploration to mining and processing plant" was held in Moscow as part of the Mining Forum MINEX Russia. The proprietary project of the "Marketing from Timchenko" agency brought together leading industry companies that, despite the challenges of the time, offer products and technologies to ensure the smooth operation of mining enterprises. The EVOBLAST Group acted as an evolutionary partner of the session, and also offered a range of import-independent solutions for drilling and blasting operations.

Sergey Moser, Director of Strategic Development of the EVOBLAST Group, Head of the EVOBLAST Engineering Department, presented innovative technologies for underground and opencast mining. They are based on efficiency, safety and affordability. The company presented several chassis of mixing and charging trucks, developed in collaboration with partners and intended for different scales mine sites. For example, a compact and maneuverable 0.6 tons chassis is a joint Russian development with the PICAR company. This "working ant" is designed for mines with small cross-sectional dimensions of workings. Another domestic model is capable of transporting 1.3-2.3 tons of emulsion. The chassis has been operating at one of the sites for six months and has proven itself well. 2-3 tons and 4-6 tons Chassis were also presented. The equipment is suitable for charging big volumes of several faces per day at large mines. All equipment meets the requirements of Russian enterprises and is affordable.

"When developing each solution, the EVOBLAST Group focuses on the production independence. The products are developed by Russian engineers, manufactured from local or available components. For example, today we presented plastic casing pipes for pre-bottom boring holes, charging hoses and housings for loading intermediate initiating charges. Several years ago, we took a course on import substitution and in short possible time, jointly with our partners, we received high-quality plastic equipment, which we are rightfully proud of. Now these products are successfully used by several mining companies," said Sergey Moser.

The EVOBLAST Group also reminded about one of the most popular products at the Russian industry market – the EVOSAB® emulsion explosive for underground mining. This company development practically has no competitors due to its energy properties.

Another presentation was devoted to solutions for minimizing environmental risks during mining operations. Adelina Lusis, leading specialist in licensing and permitting work at the EVOBLAST Group, shared the results of a study aimed at environmental stabilization of dusty surfaces of an apatite-nepheline tailings dump in the conditions of the Kola North.

The Murmansk region is a strategic region for the development of mineral deposits, as a result of which vegetation cover has completely disappeared from many quarries and 17 major tailings dumps. According to engineering and geological characteristics, such territories are prone to dusting, which causes chemical pollution of air, soil, water, and has a negative impact on public health.

"Our task was to develop an effective and economically optimal plan for eliminating accumulated environmental damage. A study of sand, soil, rainwater, and 13 plant species was conducted at one of the quarries. As a result, optimal types of soil conditioners, grass, and trees were determined. From 2019 to 2023, we sowed and observed several experimental plots in a sand quarry. Waste from the water supply and sewerage system was used for irrigation: clarified municipal wastewater and sewage sludge. The results have paid off: in a few years, the plants took root well, and a fairly rich phytocenosis was formed. "And now we can offer the industry a new, cost-effective, environmentally friendly method of reclaiming quarries and tailings," Adelina Lusis said about the project. And this study formed the basis of Adelina's thesis for the degree of candidate of technical sciences in "Geoecology", which she defended in early October at the Institute for Integrated Development of Subsoil named after Academician N.V. Melnikov of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

The special guest of the interactive session "New Times - New Heroes" was Yulia Bulgakova, director of IN VITRO VISION, a Russian developer and manufacturer of software and hardware solutions and systems for the mining industry. Right at the event, the company and the EVOBLAST Engineering division signed a partnership agreement. The partners launched a project to develop a technology for determining the rock mass displacement after the blast. It involves analytical processing of images using machine vision systems.