A North Bay mining supplier is developing a new explosive product projected to be more cost-effective than traditional methods used by the industry.
Nexco Inc. is working to make an ammonium nitrate particle, made water-resistant by modifications applied through the manufacturing process.
The company is currently in the process of designing and building a small-scale pilot plant that will enable Nexco to demonstrate the advantages and cost savings of their product.
Nexco received $809,000 in federal funding on March 1 to assist with the work.
“I’m excited that FedNor is supporting our revolutionary mining explosives technology,” John Burrows, president of Nexco Inc., said in a March 1 news release.
“The funding is helping us scale-up and innovate, and will help us bring to market a greener and more cost-effective solution for blasting in the mining industry. We’re proud to be investing in our community here in Northern Ontario and making a difference in the mining explosives industry.”
Ammonium nitrate is commonly used in mining as a critical part of the blasting process.
The Nexco product is anticipated to decrease blasting costs and improve handling and environmental properties.
Once fully operational, the North Bay operation will have the capacity to produce enough product to supply 11 per cent of the North American market for ammonium nitrate.
The project is also expected to create 37 jobs.
Funding for the project comes from FedNor’s Regional Growth Through Innovation Fund and the Jobs and Growth Fund.
