RG: Could you tell us, how was the company started? What is the business´s vision? And, what attributed to its success?
AM: PyroSmart began in 1960, when the group started to sell industrial explosives. Later we began producing our own explosives. In those times, the perceived difference between fireworks and explosives was huge. I believe that the explosive industries of that time even looked down upon the Fireworks Industry. However, over the past 40 years the pyrotechnics industry has been constantly growing and making technological advances. For example, automobile airbags are gas generating pyrotechnic devices which significantly improve occupant safety in motor vehicles. Another example is the Airbus aircraft, which has more than 170 pyrotechnic components. So there is a new boom in industrial pyrotechnics that is very different from the pyrotechnics of fireworks. . We decided to focus our business on the pyrotechnics industry where the type of pyrotechnics manufactured are more reliable and have increased marketing opportunities; for example, in the area of electric igniters, which we manufacture and export to more than a dozen countries. Manufacturing and selling electric igniters was an essential part of our product development that later became known as PyroBlast. PyroBlast has a Mexican patent, which we are proud to say is one of the few patents owned by a business in Zacatecas. Today, PyroBlast serves in both the mining and construction industries primarily for work in sensitive areas. PyroBlast is a rock breaking system with a series of features that adapt perfectly to some of the special needs of these two industries.
RG: What are some of the most interesting features that PyroBlast provides for the mining industry?
AM: Conventional explosives have high detonation velocities (Dv), which typically range from 3500 to 5500 m/s for commercial explosives and from 6000 to 8500+ m/s for military explosives. The long term objective, particularly for the military, has always been to find ways to increase explosive output energy and Dv. PyroBlast does not follow this paradigm, because it differs from conventional explosives in that it is a pyrotechnic composition capable of producing a very low order detonation (Dv approximately 1200 to 1400 m/s). As a result, when used in selected commercial applications, such as sensitive areas in mining, PyroBlast generates only a minor amount of fly rock and produces minimal vibration and shock wave expansion. These characteristics allow PyroBlast to be used in applications where greater control of explosive output/effects is required. In addition, PyroBlast does not generate toxic nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide gases, which can be problematic in poorly ventilated areas. PyroBlast has no negative effect on the environment, is user friendly, safe to handle and very reliable.
RG: In what projects has PyroBlast been involved and how you benefit your customers?
AM: Cementos Mexicanos (CEMEX) was the first company to use our technology. Today other companies such as Peñoles, Group Mexico, Goldcorp and Capstone Gold have benefited from PyroBlast’s various applications.
RG: How has PyroSmart shaped its service portfolio in order to offer integrated solutions to the mining sector?
AM: We make products that are mainly used in overflows, in pre-cuts, roads, slope stabilization, ditches and precision work within mines. Every mine has sensitive areas, such as geologically unstable areas and areas where machinery and equipment are near the extraction zone. PyroBlast is excellent for applications where accuracy is a requirement. Thanks to the product’s low speed, it does not rely on the rock’s compression, but rather on the rock’s strain (shear effects). This difference makes PyroBlast perfect for pre-cuts and overflows in tunnels in order to ensure safety and efficiency. We have focused the use of this innovative product more in the mining industry than in other commercial areas. PyroBlast is one of the leading technologies in the world for this type of product.
RG: What role does technological innovation take part in PyroSmart’s total operations?
AM: PyroSmart is a technology based company, which with its PyroBlast product, has won the national prize of science and technology, awarded by CONACYT, for two consecutive years. This is due to the investment that we have made and the knowledge that we have acquired over the past 50 years. We developed a product that has remarkable and competitive advantages over conventional explosives. Conventional explosives can be used in a number of markets for a wide variety of applications. On the other hand, there are certain requirements, both in mining and construction, where it is not advisable to use conventional explosives because of the vibrations that cause fly rock particles to propel and disperse, as well as the gas and noise production. These effects can have negative affects on the population and the mining machinery/equipment. It is inconceivable to think of using conventional commercial explosives for road work where there are cars transiting or for work in geologically unstable areas. Because PyroBlast is perfect for these types of situations, it is here that our technology can clearly be distinguished from that of conventional commercial explosives. This Mexican Technology is trading in many parts of the world. We have a plant in Brazil and another in Panama.
RG: What are the main benefits of being located in Zacatecas?
AM: We are in an excellent mining state. All of our plants are located in areas which have high potential product consumption. In addition, the climate in Zacatecas is perfect for our manufacturing process. As of today, we have the most modern plant in Latin America for explosive products of this type (PyroBlast).
RG: What advantages have PyroSmart acquired while working in the Mexican mining industry?
AM: The most challenging test we have had for our product was in the demolition of the bus station in Zacatecas. It was a 2800 metric ton building located next to downtown, so it was in an extremely sensitive area and was a critical test of our system. For this reason, the fact that PyroBlast worked well under these conditions, showed the quality and reliability of our technology. In addition to our Pyroblast product, we have developed and manufacture our own ignition equipment/devices. This equipment has a high level of precision, reliability and safety/security. As a result of this work, we have been able to overcome certain barriers/obstacles and transform PyroSmart from a pyrotechnics manufacturing company to a leader in technological development as well. This has allowed us to expand the scope and complexity of the work we perform.
Today we are participating in automobile airbag testing, where the level of accuracy and reliability must be extremely high. Variation of a few milliseconds in the performance of a product in an accident can be the difference between life and death. The equipment/products we have developed for use in the mining industry have been taken technologically to the limit of quality and reliability; this ensures that when we work for other industries we already have the best possible and proven solutions.
RG: Is there any strategic alliance created by PyroSmart that will help you to consolidate within the industry?
AM: PyroSmart is a Mexican company with partners in other countries. We have an agreement with a group of Technology Solutions in Argentina for the manufacturing of hollow boxes for the stimulation of oil wells. We also have other agreements with US companies for technology development, such as ignition systems. This has stimulated increased investment.
RG: In what ways does PyroSmart work with academic institutions or governmental organizations for the sector’s improvement?
AM: We are working with FOMIX, this is a government branch that belongs to the State Government, and we are also working with the CONACYT. We have ties with the Technological University of Zacatecas; more specifically, with the Laboratory officer J.M. Madariaga, who is one of the of most important explosive product certifiers in the European Union for mines. This has enabled us to assess/evaluate the use and storage of fireworks and explosives, as well as acquire the certification of labor competencies.
RG: What is your involvement in the industry, in the application and use of explosives?
AM: The services we provide are definitely vital. We have dedicated ourselves to the development of excellent and reliable products. In addition, something that sets us apart from others is that we do not limit ourselves to just the sale of products; we provide solutions for our clients as well. PyroSmart performs all the work that the customer requires. The mining industry today finds in us a global and comprehensive response to the needs that they have. We have software, equipment, products and engineering for developing the best solutions for every specific case. PyroSmart carries out drilling works, with design and measurement so that the company not only has a product, but a range of proposed solutions to meet its customer’s needs.
RG: What are some of the main challenges facing the pyrotechnic industry?
AM: The main challenge lies in changing the perception of the pyrotechnics industry. The concept towards explosives seems to always be negative, and is always related with danger and/or with pyrotechnic crafting. Pyrotechnics has changed significantly over the past few decades. As a technology company, we participate in major international forums to stay informed regarding the latest technology developments in the pyrotechnics and explosives industries. The number of applications that pyrotechnic products have in modern times is quite surprising. A great example is that of military aircraft, where all pilot ejection systems function with pyrotechnic systems. Unfortunately, there is still some disbelief in the potential of pyrotechnics and explosives. Over time, our products and devices have become well known in a number of different industries, which demonstrates our wide range of utility and efficiency. For example: all studies of Geotechnics performed by the CFE are made 100% with our seismic sources.
RG: In what ways PyroSmart technology contributes to safeguarding the environment?
AM: Our product, when compared to a wide variety of other explosive and pyrotechnic products, is very environmentally friendly. PyroBlast can be broken down by water saturation within 24 hours. The product residue is clean to the environment. Out of the gas that is generated, 70% is oxygen, with which there is no problem. All the gases released during the product’s activation are nontoxic gases. In all of our manufacturing facilities, the focus is to maintain safe and environmentally friendly working areas. In the areas around the plant, for example, we planted more than 1800 trees, this may not seem like many, but if you take into account that in the surrounding community there was not a single tree, then it takes on much greater relevance. We have been very careful with environmental and social topics. We have dedicated ourselves to supporting and encouraging our community, as well as committing ourselves strongly to the improvement and development of our staff.
RG: What is the strategy to consolidate PyroSmart in the Latin American mining market?
AM: We were selected to participate in a business development program by an organization that is called TechBA, which is a Government program for the elite in technology-based companies. This program is designed to accelerate and favor international businesses. Thanks to this program, we were able to expand to different Latin American countries. At this moment we are focusing our efforts on opening our new plant in Ecuador.
