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Since the launch of the first i-kon™ system in 2000, Orica has transformed the way blasting is conducted—introducing programmable timing, full testability, and now wireless initiation. With over 200 million units deployed globally, supporting operations in surface and underground mining, tunnelling, quarrying and construction, i-kon™ led the way in defining what a globally standardised electronic blasting system could be and set the benchmark for modern electronic blasting systems.

Orica continues to lead the industry in initiation innovation, with its revolutionary wireless initiation system, WebGen™. By eliminating the constraints of traditional wired initiation, WebGen™ is transforming mine planning—enabling more flexible and efficient blast designs, reducing risk exposure, and driving productivity gains.

These systems build on Orica’s legacy of precision and safety, offering advanced digital integration, improved deployment efficiency, and enhanced environmental performance.

Orica’s Vice President of Initiating Systems, Dr Rodney Williams said,

This celebration is not just about technology—it’s about the people who made it possible and the challenges it has helped customers overcome through the years. Our teams, customers, and partners have helped shape EBS into the reliable and future-ready platform it is today.

Celebrations will continue throughout 2025–2026, with a series of stories, interviews, and internal activities designed to honour the legacy of EBS and the people who have contributed to its success.

With a clear focus on safety, sustainability, and digital integration, Orica continues to redefine what’s possible in blasting. The next chapter of EBS is already being written—by the engineers who push boundaries and the customers who trust our solutions.

From i-kon to WebGen, and now the EBS Neo product suite, Orica continues to redefine what’s possible in blasting—driven by innovation, inspired by people, and focused on the future.

Orica’s Chief Technology Officer, Angus Melbourne