Enaex Australia is working with Scandinavia’s Normet and Forcit to redefine underground mining with innovative blasting solutions.
With over a century of combined in-house expertise and 30 years in the Australian mining sector, Enaex has become a trusted partner for miners seeking tailored blasting solutions.
Enaex’s partnership with underground equipment and service specialist Normet plays a key role in the company’s ability to deliver high-performance blasting solutions. By combining Enaex’s premium explosives products and Normet’s cutting-edge technology and equipment, Enaex provides a comprehensive, vertically integrated offering.
“Effective blasting is critical for modern mining, with emphasis on quality and precision,” Enaex Australia underground business manager Murray Gordon told Mining.
“Modern mines have challenging targets and require premium solutions not just for product quality but, more importantly, reliable, repeatable and safe application.”
A major focus for Enaex is improving safety and operational efficiency through technological advancements.
The company recognises the fact that every mine is unique and partners with customers to develop site-specific solutions.
One of the most significant innovations is the Charmec Revo, a semi-automated explosives charging machine designed for mine development and production operations.
“The Charmec Revo’s design target is to create a safer environment for underground charging operators,” Normet charging product line director Anssi Mykkänen told Mining.
“Currently in the market there are no other systems based on servo-robotics, which is designed to be expanded from horizontal development charging to vertical production charging by having a carrier with enough bulk emulsion capacity and technology to load up holes.
“Normet has listened to Enaex’s professional team and developed a state-of-the-art emulsion charging technology for the Australian market by mixing the best of Australian and Scandinavian experiences and practices.”
Enaex and Normet’s collaboration dates back more than a decade, with their first charging systems introduced to Australia in 2014.
The partnership has since delivered 26 charging machines nationwide, reinforcing the companies’ commitment to safety and efficiency.
Enaex and Normet implemented the first battery-electric vehicle Charmec Smart Drive in an operational demonstration in 2020, a key milestone leading to the launch of the Charmec Revo.
“Normet has been comprehensively testing Charmec Revo in major Finnish mines, a significant highlight of which has been a 90 per cent reduction in the time operators spend under unsupported tunnel faces,” Mykkänen said. “This is achieved by using standard shock tube detonators, marking a remarkable advancement in operator safety without cost increase in consumables.”
Enaex will leverage its strong relationships across the industry to ensure a smooth implementation of Charmec Revo in Australian mines.
“Harnessing our close relationship with Normet and our proven record working with some of Australia’s largest miners, we will ensure success,” Gordon said.
Gordon said prioritising quality and long-term partnerships that deliver practical solutions to Enaex customers is a key focus for the company.
“Enaex doesn’t strive to be the biggest, and we do not believe the cheapest is always the best option,” he said. “Our vision is to be the preferred premium blasting solutions partner, driven by safety, collaboration, results and willingness to make a difference.
“If the mine is not successful, no one is successful.”
Looking to the future, Enaex aims to enhance its reputation for innovation and collaboration, introducing new technologies that improve safety and productivity in Australian mining operations. The company remains dedicated to supporting existing customers while expanding its offerings through pioneering solutions like the Charmec Revo.
“Enaex will continue striving towards our goal of being the preferred premium blasting solutions partner by choice, ensuring we support our people, our customers, and the communities we work in,” Gordon said.
By working closely with its partners and customers, Enaex is helping shape the future of underground mining, offering cutting-edge solutions that have the potential to redefine safety and efficiency.
With innovations like the Charmec Revo leading the way, Enaex and Normet are poised to support the evolving needs of the Australian mining sector.
