Mining Operations & Explosives Handling Photography for AECI Mining
Client: AECI Mining
Project: Explosives manufacturing, handling, and on-site delivery documentation
Location: Hunter Valley Operations South, NSW
Documenting On-Site Explosives Production and Delivery
AECI Mining engaged Matt Shearer Creative to document explosives manufacturing, handling, and delivery operations at its Hunter Valley Operations South site. The objective was to create an accurate, practical image library showing real-world workflows across storage, preparation, loading, and on-site deployment.
The scope closely aligned with previous work completed for comparable explosives providers, requiring a strong understanding of safety-critical environments, strict PPE compliance, and operational sequencing.
Scope of Work
Photography coverage included:
Explosives storage warehouse and materials handling
On-site “mini lab” operations and preparation processes
Loading of explosives into specialised bulk delivery vehicles
On-site reservoir tanks and transfer points
Explosives delivery and charging operations on the mine site
Environmental context and operational scale
All imagery was captured during live operations, with no staged scenarios.
Working in a Safety-Critical Environment
Explosives manufacturing and handling environments require precise adherence to safety, access, and framing protocols. All photography was conducted under site supervision and in accordance with AECI Mining and mine-site safety procedures.
Positioning, timing, and shot sequencing were carefully planned to ensure:
Zero interference with live operations
Compliance with PPE and exclusion-zone requirements
Accurate representation of process flow and equipment use
This approach ensured operational continuity while still capturing clear, usable imagery.
Outcome
The final image set provides AECI Mining with a detailed visual record of its on-site explosives workflow, from preparation through to delivery and use. The imagery is suitable for internal communications, operational documentation, reporting, and broader brand or stakeholder use.
The photographs present an authentic view of high-risk industrial operations, accurately reflecting safety standards, scale, and technical complexity without compromising site protocols.
