Illegal Mining Fuels Demand For Explosives Detection Technology

Handheld sniffer devices that detect trace amounts of explosives are growing in popularity in South Africa as the country grapples with a vulnerable commercial explosives supply chain.

“Explosives detection at access points such as mine entrances, transport depots and border crossings is becoming a critical layer of defence against the fallout from illegal mining,” says Phil Smerkovitz, Managing Director of GoThermal, a South African-based, authorised distributor of FLIR Systems thermal imaging, night vision, and infrared camera systems, and a division of TeleEye SA.

Companies like GoThermal that supply explosives detection technologies say demand for handheld trace detectors has increased as organisations look for ways to screen people, vehicles and equipment entering sensitive sites.

One example is the FLIR Fido X4, distributed locally by GoThermal. The firm says these devices are in high demand as corporate and industrial South Africa deals with the knock-on effects of between 8 000 and 30 000 illegal miners, according to the SA Human Rights Commission, consuming a frightening amount of illegal explosives.

Illegal mining operations rely heavily on stolen commercial blasting cartridges, detonators, fuses and bulk blasting agents to break rock and access gold-bearing ore.

Until South Africa enacts updated commercial explosives legislation with track and trace capabilities, handheld explosives sniffers will continue to be rolled-out for rapid, on-site screening to detect home-made, commercial, and military originating explosives.

Smerkovitz confirms that many of the country’s leading  mining, transport, event and industrial facilities are now using the FLIR Fido X4, in particular, to detect a broad range of explosives.

Handheld explosives trace detectors typically detect vapour or use swabs at checkpoints or entry points to easily detect threats at levels other devices can’t match.“With the country awash in highly dangerous stolen blasting material, the result of being able to easily detect a broad range of explosives at very low levels means safer workplaces, entertainment venues, transport hubs and more,” explains Smerkovitz.

The FLIR Fido X4 is helping to silently boost the personal safety of South Africans countrywide by enabling operators to identify explosive-based threats in as little as ten seconds.

The user interface features onboard video tutorials, user prompts, and color-coded alarms with strength indicators for simple, effective operation. Critical data can be shared quickly through modern connectivity options that include Wi-Fi.

“With dozens of Fido devices already deployed across South Africa, intelligent sensing solutions are keeping citizens out of harm’s way as the authorities continue the war on illegal mining,” concludes Smerkovitz.