Explosives Industry News - August 25, 2021

Codelco Breaks Ground at $1.4bn Salvador Copper Mine Expansion

Chile’s state miner Codelco, the world’s no.1 copper producer, has broken ground at the $1.4 billion expansion of the Salvador copper mine, which will extend the productive life of the aging operation by 47 years and increase output by almost 50%.

The Rajo Inca project will convert Salvador, in operation since 1959, from an underground mine to an open pit.

Visit https://www.mining.com/codelco-breaks-ground-at-1-4bn-expansion-of-salvador-copper-mine/ to view the full article online.

MSHA Fatality Alert

On August 3, 2021, a miner was run over by a customer tractor-trailer while walking to his normal work area.

As a reminder to prevent injuries and death, best practices say:
• Assure adequate illumination sufficient to provide safe working conditions.
• Communicate with mobile equipment operators and make eye contact to ensure they acknowledge your presence. Be aware of the location and traffic patterns of mobile equipment in your work area.
• Wear high visibility clothing when working around mobile equipment.
• Wear strobe lights near mobile equipment.
• Assure traffic controls provide for safe movement of mobile equipment and are followed. Operate mobile equipment at reduced speeds in work areas.
• Stay clear of normal paths of travel for mobile equipment and train all persons to recognize work place hazards.

Additional Information
This is the 23rd fatality reported in 2021, and the ninth classified as “Powered Haulage.”

Visit https://www.msha.gov/ to view the full article online.

Industry News

Mark Your Calendars – Registration for ISEE’s 48th Annual Conference on Explosives & Blasting Technique Opens THIS MONDAY

Get ready because the annual conference is back and registration opens at 9 a.m. EDT Monday. The 48th Annual Conference on Blasting & Explosives Technique will be from Jan. 30 – Feb. 3, 2022, at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev.

Register early on Monday to take advantage of the early bird rate and for a chance to win big! The first 50 people who register for the conference will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a free 48th annual conference proceedings USB. We’ll be giving away five of them in total. If you are one of the lucky winners, and have already purchased proceedings with your conference registration, a discount will be applied to your account.

Why You Should Attend
• Incredible workshops and education sessions. Many states recognize ISEE training for your refresher hours.
• Learn about latest equipment and services that help make your job better and safer.
• Keep up with new regulations and changes in our industry
• Interact with more than 100 manufacturers, distributors and service providers to our industry.
• Reconnect with members of the blasting industry, make new connections, and learn from leading experts.

About the Conference
The Annual Conference on Explosives & Blasting Technique is the largest conference in the blasting community, bringing together more than 1,500 field blasters, manufacturers of explosives-related products, educators and researchers. The conference provides a forum for the discussion of practical and technical information as well as presentation of the latest discoveries in the commercial explosives industry worldwide.

Visit https://isee.org/conferences/2022-conference to view the full article online.

ISEE Photo Contest

Do you have a knack for photography and some great shots of a recent job you’d like to share? Take your camera on your next job site and upload your best pictures. Qualifying entries will be displayed through ISEE’s social media channels and on-site at the annual conference in Las Vegas, Nev.

Voting will be open to all. The Best of Show winner will receive a free registration to the 49th annual conference. Winners will be announced at the annual conference, on social media, and in the Journal of Explosives Engineering.

Visit the photo contest page today to see all the categories and enter your pictures.

Visit https://isee.org/conferences/2022-conference/photo-contest to view the full article online.

ISEE Annual Awards Nominations

Nominate a coworker or colleague who has made an exceptional contribution to the fields of explosives or drilling for one of the International Society of Explosives Engineers most prestigious awards. There are four awards the ISEE is accepting nominations for:

Blaster’s Leadership Award: Presented to those who exemplify the blaster in the field and have given generously of time and talents in helping fellow blasters.

Driller of The Year Award: Recognizes a blasthole drill operator with a high moral character and whose body of work demonstrates an extraordinary commitment to compliance and safety; work ethic; performing quality work; is a team player; and communication skills.

The Blasthole Drill Industry Leadership Award: Recognizes owner/operators of mines and/or contractors (their engineers and managers), supplier/vendors (of equipment, tools and systems), consultants, and academia of high moral character who have made significant contributions to the mining/quarrying blasthole drilling industry.

Distinguished Service Award: An award of merit given to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the field of explosives engineering.

Visit https://isee.org/awards to view the full article online.

ISEE Member Benefit Spotlight

Renew Your ISEE Membership

As the leading professional association for the explosives industry, we want to help you advance your knowledge and career through education, regulatory training and professional networking. Whether you’re a student, an industry professional, or representing an organization, being part of the ISEE community will help you to achieve your goals.

Please renew your ISEE membership for 2021 to continue your access to these exclusive tools including:
1. Networking opportunities with colleagues and industry leaders
2. Access OneMine, which includes proceedings from ISEE's Annual Conference on Explosives & Blasting Technique as well as 124,000 articles, technical papers, books in the explosives, mining, minerals and tunneling industries
3. Special annual conference pricing
4. A complimentary subscription to the Journal of Explosives Engineering
5. Exclusive pricing at the ISEE online bookstore
6. A complimentary listing in the ISEE Membership Directory and Desktop Reference

This year, ISEE created a Webinar series to allow you to gain re-training and re-certification continuing education credit from the safety and comfort of your home or office.

Help us accomplish even more in 2021 and renew your membership today. And do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns. We look forward to hearing from you.

Visit https://isee.org/membership-renewal to view the full article online.