The AEL Mining Services Chair in Innovative Rock breaking Technology will reside within the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, in the Department of Mining Engineering at the University of Pretoria. The department has established a solid reputation in the South African mining industry with its ability to produce high calibre graduates, supply additional training to meet the industry’s needs, conduct relevant research and be a source of specialist information in all aspects of mining operations. To maintain the capabilities of such a centre of excellence, it is imperative that staff, post graduate students and industry co-workers are continuously involved in practical, relevant and ground breaking research in the mining field. The Chair’s key objective is to increase AEL’s exposure within the university, with specific reference to developing future leaders in the mining industry.

AEL, a proud member of the JSE-listed AECI Group in South Africa, has been a leading developer, producer and supplier of commercial explosives, initiating systems and blasting services for mining, quarrying and construction markets in Africa and select international markets such as Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. AEL collaborates with customers through its value proposition named IntelliBlast™. IntelliBlast™, is the culmination of over 100 years’ experience and offers a holistic and flexible approach to help clients on their unique journey to optimal blast outcomes using AEL’s suite of differentiated products and services.

In addition to supplying indispensable products, the company has also provided know-how, training and consultation in the complex but crucial process of blasting rock in underground mines as well as on surface operations. Throughout the decades AEL has endeavoured to ensure that South African blasting practices have kept pace with new developments internationally. It is within this spirit that the AEL Chair in Innovative Rock breaking Technology has been established at the University of Pretoria.

The initial pilot project under the auspices of the newly established Chair will be the “Determination of Safe Blast Clearance Radii for Blasting”. This lead project will pave the way for future investigations and eventually entrench a successful and symbiotic relationship between AEL and the University of Pretoria.