Orica and Fertiberia demonstrate low-carbon blasting agent in Spain

Low-carbon Technical Ammonium Nitrate to be offered to customers

Following the September launch of their low-carbon TAN product, Orica and Fertiberia have conducted a test blast at the Canteras de Santullán quarry in Spain. To manufacture the TAN blasting agent, Orica used low-carbon ammonium nitrate produced by Fertiberia in Puertollano, Spain. Puertollano already features one electrolytic hydrogen plant operating to provide renewable feedstock for ammonia (and ammonium nitrate) production, with another electrolysis plant under development by thyssenkrupp Uhde.

The decarbonisation of mining, a crucial sector for the energy transition due to its role in extracting copper and other essential industrial minerals, is set to begin with the first use of a more sustainable product. The blast marks a further step towards reducing the carbon footprint of mining activities.

Fertiberia’s Director for Industrial Development and Projects Gonzalo Fernández Ozalla in Orica’s official press release, 11 June 2024

As renewable hydrogen is mixed with fossil-based feedstock by Fertiberia at the Puertollano facility, a mass balance approach is taken in order to call its products “low-carbon”. Third-party certification of this process is currently ongoing.

Enaex

In Chile, Enaex is currently developing a renewable hydrogen and ammonia plant to enable low-carbon blasting agent manufacturing at its Prillex plant in Mejillones. Enaex currently imports around 350,000 tons of fossil-based ammonia per year to northern Chile, which is also home to most of the country’s mining industry. Enaex is also in discussions with NYK to produce and use renewable ammonia as marine fuel, powering the cross-Pacific copper ore trade.