While electronic detonators offer significant advantages in precision and control, they also come with potential risks and limitations:
Higher cost: electronic detonators generally have a higher purchase price compared to conventional pyrotechnic systems (electric or non-electric). This initial cost can be a barrier, although it may be offset by downstream savings.
System complexity: these systems are inherently more complex, involving electronic components, software interfaces, and specific operating procedures.
Training requirements: the increased complexity necessitates more extensive and specialized training for blasters, engineers, and other personnel involved in their handling and use. There’s also a risk of misuse if personnel aren’t properly trained, like attempting to combine components from different systems.
Operational robustness: operating sensitive electronics in harsh mining environments presents challenges. Systems must be robust against dust, moisture, temperature extremes, and physical impacts. Connector integrity can also be an issue, particularly under difficult field conditions.
Potential failure modes: Thile designed with safety features, electronic components introduce new potential failure modes, including hardware or software malfunctions. Misfires, although often reduced due to pre-blast testing capabilities, can still occur, particularly under high dynamic shock loading which can damage internal components like the fuse head, bridge wire, or chip module.
Susceptibility to electrical phenomena: although generally more resistant than standard electric detonators, electronic systems still have some susceptibility to electrostatic discharge (ESD) and electromagnetic pulses (EMP), requiring built-in protections.
Regulatory environment: stringent safety regulations govern the manufacturing and use of all explosive devices, including electronic detonators, which can add complexity and cost to their deployment.
Time investment: additional time may be required on the bench before blasting for programming and testing the detonators compared to simpler systems.
