Technical Services
Design and supervision of rock blasting operations for mining, civil construction, and a wide range of specialized applications, including industrial, hospital, petrochemical, historical sites, power generation and transmission, highways, railways, water pipelines, oil pipelines, and gas pipelines.
NITRO evaluates all critical parameters related to both drilling and blast execution. This includes geological conditions; proximity to structures and communities; drilling parameters such as hole deviation; selection of explosives and initiation accessories; minimum stemming; blast design and initiation sequence; among other factors. All parameters are carefully analyzed and adjusted to ensure safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
Also known as mine-to-mill or mine-to-crusher, this approach involves a comprehensive analysis of the entire comminution process—from drilling and blasting through downstream operations such as loading, hauling, crushing, and grinding. The objective is to maximize the effective use of explosive energy for rock fragmentation while reducing overall production costs.
NITRO conducts detailed process mapping aimed at continuous improvement and the identification of production bottlenecks. Our methodology incorporates established management and optimization frameworks, including the Toyota Production System (Lean Production / Just-in-Time), the Theory of Constraints (TOC), Value Stream Mapping (VSM), and Job/Shift Management (JSM) to accurately assess and improve operational efficiency.
Technical auditing of explosive and deflagrating formulations, with feasibility analyses for industrial-scale implementation.
NITRO conducts audits and technical assessments to enhance drilling and blasting performance, ensuring the correct use of explosives while minimizing adverse effects such as vibration, noise, and flyrock. The company supports complex operations near residential areas, flammable materials, historical sites, protected zones, and critical infrastructure, including water, gas, and power systems. Through the application of advanced, integrated techniques, NITRO delivers safe, efficient, and high-productivity blasting solutions.
Evaluation of borehole straightness and free-face geometry to identify deviations and excessive or insufficient burden and spacing. This ensures optimal fragmentation, prevents backbreak and overbreak, and minimizes vibration.
Assessment of rock fragmentation using aerial 3D photogrammetry with drones, enabling measurement of actual particle size distribution and accurate calculation of blasted material volume in situ.
High-resolution photography and video recording for evaluation of firing plans, spacing, burden, clearance, buffering, initiation sequences, and gas generation. Includes professional aerial footage in 2.7K or 4K resolution using Anatel-certified drones.
Specialized borehole endoscopic cameras for photography and video inspection to assess rock quality, porosity, water levels, borehole connectivity, fractures, and other subsurface conditions.
Measurement of explosive performance through velocity of detonation (VOD) to verify formulation quality and confirm whether the explosive is properly detonating rather than deflagrating.
Assessment of actual detonator and delay element timing relative to nominal values for shock tube (non-electric), detonating cord, and other systems. This analysis prevents unintended simultaneous hole initiation, reducing vibration and improving fragmentation control.
Measures for controlling and mitigating vibration, noise, flyrock, gases, and dust in rock blasting operations, particularly in areas near communities, in compliance with Brazilian standards NBR 9653:2018, NBR 10151:2020, ISEE 2022, USBM 1980, DIN 4150, BS 7385, among others. Using precision seismic monitoring, Nitro mathematically models vibration behavior and predicts the maximum allowable charge per delay based on distance to structures, ensuring minimal impact through site-specific attenuation equations.
In addition to high-sensitivity seismographs with triaxial geophones, NITRO is a pioneer in continuous wireless remote monitoring using modern triaxial accelerometers through its Keeper system. This technology enables recording across wider frequency ranges and higher peak particle velocities (PPV) over extended periods (up to two years) without battery replacement or recalibration. It is especially suited for blasting projects requiring long-term monitoring, including civil construction, industrial facilities, hospitals, petrochemical plants, historical structures, pipelines, and mining operations. The system supports 24/7 cloud storage and LoRa-based data transmission to a dedicated server.
NITRO has extensive experience in managing sensitive situations involving explosive operations near communities, supporting dialogue, community engagement, and awareness of safe and responsible blasting practices, as well as providing legal support. The company also advises on crisis management related to flyrock, vibration, noise, gases, and dust.
NITRO documents and evaluates structures located near blasting sites, recording any pre-existing conditions such as cracks or material defects in accordance with applicable regulations before and/or after explosive use. Our specialized building pathology team ensures technical accuracy and legal protection for construction and mining projects.
NITRO uses proprietary technology to monitor microcrack variations in real time across masonry and concrete structures, alongside ground vibration (PPV), frequency, acceleration, displacement, temperature, humidity, and other parameters, enabling precise identification of damage sources.
Sound pressure monitoring and technical reporting in inhabited areas in accordance with NBR 10151:2022.