Successful Trial Opens a New Era for Reactive Ground Blasting

eXcellerate is proud to announce the successful trial of its product FOX. This milestone signals a major advance in reactive ground blasting, introducing an efficient ANFO-like alternative to traditional emulsions.

FOX is an innovative liquid additive designed to be sprayed onto PPAN during bench loading with MPUs to create ANFOX. During the trial, this next generation blend proved to tackle the challenges of reactive ground caused by AN-pyrite interactions while delivering multiple advantages over conventional solutions.

“FOX marks a turning point for how we approach reactive ground. By maintaining ANFO-level performance, we’ve proven that reactive ground challenges can be solved using a simpler solution without sacrificing productivity or safety” — Eduard Haegel, Managing Director, eXcellerate

After more than one year of lab development, eXcellerate achieved the liquid additive that produces an inhibited ANFO product validating its properties following the AEISG reactive ground testing protocol. The full-scale trial confirmed the findings in the field, proving FOX as a reliable, scalable solution for dry conditions.

FOX demonstrated benefits over traditional emulsions

• Improved Detonation. Trials confirm ANFOX detonates reliably and with higher velocity of detonation (VOD) than traditional ANFO, indicating enhanced energy release.
• Seamless integration to MPUs. FOX replaces diesel in ANFO without MPU modifications. Same diesel tank, same diesel pump.
• Faster Loading. FOX presents significant reduction in loading hours in dry holes compared to traditional emulsion-based mining explosive products.
• Safety Upgrading. Shorter loading times reduce crew exposure to hazardous conditions.
• Non-DG classification. As a non-dangerous liquid, FOX eliminates special storage requirements at the mine.
  
  

“Over the last 30 years, there have been numerous attempts to develop an ANFO for reactive ground. The ANFOX approach envisioned a liquid fuel born at the intersection of chemistry, colloid science and detonation physics, an innovative convergence to solve this long-standing challenge ” — Miguel Araos, explosives Chemist, PhD in Detonation Physics, leading FOX technical development

FOX is currently patent pending, underscoring eXcellerate’s commitment to pioneering solutions that empower mining companies to operate more efficiently, safely and sustainably. The product is ready for deployment across mining operations globally, offering a scalable solution for sites facing reactive ground challenges.