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Transforming mining with WebGen: the wireless blasting revolution

21 Aug 2025

WEBGEN™ - UNLOCKING SAFER, SMARTER BLASTING

What Is WebGen™?

WebGen™ is the world’s first truly wireless initiating system, designed for safe, reliable blasting in both surface and underground operations. It eliminates the need for down-lines and surface connectors by using low-frequency magnetic induction signals to communicate through rock, water, and air— allowing preloading of blast holes, reduces scheduling constraints, and improves safety by eliminating the need to re-enter hazardous areas. WebGen™ is delivered as a service by trained Orica technicians, with site-specific signal surveys and reactivity testing to ensure optimal performance.

Each WebGen™ primer is programmed with encrypted wake-up, arm, and fire codes, and remains dormant until activated by a secure signal. This allows for preloading blast holes days or weeks in advance, removing people from hazardous areas and enabling flexible, efficient operations.

Underground Mining

WebGen™ 200 Underground Pro is purpose-built for underground mining, enabling safe preloading and remote initiation of blast holes without physical connections—reducing exposure, improving drawpoint availability, and unlocking new mining methods for

 

Surface Mining

WebGen™ wireless blasting technology enables surface mining operations—also known as open pit or open cut mining—to operate with greater safety, precision, and flexibility. By removing the need for physical connections in blast holes, WebGen™ allows mines to preload and fire blasts remotely, reducing exposure to hazardous areas and enabling more agile, efficient scheduling. This innovation supports key operational priorities, including minimising downtime during adverse weather, optimizing mine sequencing, and reducing environmental and community impact

 

Featured Conference Paper: Unlocking value at St Ives

Faced with rising costs from intensive slot drive development, re-drilling, and safety constraints, St Ives Gold Mine partnered with Orica to deploy WebGen™ 200 wireless blasting. The result: 330m of development eliminated, 20% cost savings (~$500K/year), and safer, more productive operations across 32 stopes.

Download paper (PDF 592.4KB)

St Ives WebGen Paper Download

 

Customer Testimonial

 

Hear what the team at Musselwhite had to say about WebGen™

Case Studies

Discover how WebGen™ is delivering real results in the field. These hero case studies highlight innovative applications across global mining operations, showcasing how wireless blasting is driving measurable improvements in dilution control, productivity, and community impact.

Explore Our Success Stories

View All Case Studies

Podcast Spotlight: WebGen™ – Redefining the Future of Blasting with Wireless Blasting Technology

 

Discover how WebGen™ wireless initiation technology is transforming mining operations in a powerful new episode of Mining Now featuring Adam Aubin, Head of Technical Solutions – North America.

Watch episode 

 

 

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Musselwhite, Canada

WebGen™ enabled Temporary Rib Pillars (TRPs), allowing safe recovery of ore adjacent to open stopes.

Results:

  • 93% reduction in dilution
  • 33% fewer mucking days
  • 27% increase in tonnes per day 
Read the Musselwhite Case Study
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Paracatu, Brazil

WebGen™ helped Kinross balance productivity with 

  • Reduced production stoppages
    • Improved dust and flyrock control
    • Enhanced community relations 
Read the Paracatu Case Study
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Boddington, Australia

WebGen™ provided enhanced mine schedule flexibility, allowing more efficient resource allocation and improved overall productivity.

  • Temporary haul roads enabled
    • Increased equipment utilisation
    • Projected 30-day mining gain 
Watch the video

Media Contact

Andrew Valler

Head of Communications
Mobile +61 437 829 211  

Analysts contact

Natalie Worley

Chief Communications Officer
Mobile +61 409 210 462