AzerBlast company reaches full capacity at Ganja Industrial Explosives Plant

The first plant for producing industrial explosives, operated by AzerBlast LLC - a subsidiary of AzerGold CJSC - has reached full capacity in Ganja.

On July 27, Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov, Head of the State Service for Property Affairs under the Ministry of Economy and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of AzerGold CJSC Matin Eynullayev, Head of Ganja Executive Authorities Niyazi Bayramov, Chairman of the Board of AzerGold CJSC Zakir Ibrahimov, Professor Juan Jimenez of the Kennedy School at Harvard University, and researchers from the Center for International Development at Harvard University familiarized themselves with the activities of the enterprise, according to the press service of the Economy Ministry as reported by Caliber.Az.

AzerBlast LLC was established through a public-private partnership to cater to the country's increasing demand for civil explosives and to eliminate import dependence. The company is 51% owned by AzerGold CJSC and 49% by DM Servis LLC, a private entity specializing in this sector.

Currently, in a testing phase, the plant produces ANFO and H-ANFO explosives, intended for dry and wet environments respectively, and used in the mining and construction industries.

Construction of the plant began in January 2023 on a 15-hectare site. With a capital investment of AZN 11 million and a total project cost of AZN 15 million, these funds were allocated by the founders of AzerBlast LLC without additional burden on the state budget. Ganja was chosen for its proximity to the country's main mining industrial center and its location along an international transport corridor.

Initially, the plant will operate with a staff 35, with plans to increase the workforce to 65. Once the plant reaches full capacity, local production will meet the demand for industrial explosives, eliminating the need for imports. In its initial phase, the plant will produce 14,000 tons of ANFO and H-ANFO explosives annually. Considering the mining potential of Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur, as well as large-scale construction projects and significant export potential, annual production is expected to increase to 31,500 tons in subsequent phases.

The plant's production line is designed by the Turkish company HTD Kimya ve Mühendislik A.Ş. and is equipped with machinery from Germany, Britain, and Türkiye. Production adheres to high environmental standards and safety regulations in compliance with local and international legislation.