DNA Blast Group

What DNA Blast Group does

DNA Blast Group (formerly Thierry Bernard Technologie, rebranded in 2024) develops predictive blasting simulation software and field instruments for the mining, cement, aggregates, and explosives industries. Founded in 2005 by Dr. Thierry Bernard in Nice, France, the company builds on more than 20 years of R&D in rock-explosive interaction modeling, detonation physics, wave propagation, rock mechanics, and fragmentation to deliver a platform-plus-modules architecture branded as Predictive Blasting™. Its customers include global mining operators (Rio Tinto, Vale, Fortescue, Newmont, Agnico Eagle, Hecla Mining, CSN Mining, Tacora Resources), cement and aggregates producers (Holcim, Vicat, Lhoist, Calcinor), explosives manufacturers (Dyno Nobel, Enaex, Maxam), and engineering consultancies (EY, WSP, AtkinsRéalis, BBA, Acciona). The company cites 90% fragmentation prediction accuracy and 75% vibration reduction as quantified performance outcomes of its digital-twin approach.

The core product is the I-Blast software suite, sold in four tiers — Design Express (DE), Evolution (EVO), EVO+, and Ultimate (ULT) — covering CAD-based blast design, seismic analysis, MWD integration, 3D/4D voxel digital-twin simulation, sequence optimization, and KPI management via the I-Blast Dashboard web portal. The software is paired with a proprietary hardware ecosystem: DNA-FragCam (AI-powered continuous fragmentation camera), DNA-AIDEV (Bluetooth hole-deviation probe), DNA-OnSite (rugged tablet with RTK positioning), DNA-Monitor (blast monitoring), and the in-development DNA-Vib next-generation seismograph. Together these instruments close the loop between field measurements and predictive simulation, exporting drill patterns and electronic-detonator programs back to site equipment and supporting Mine-to-Market performance tracking including a GHG environmental audit module.

DNA Blast Group monetizes through tiered software licenses (recurring), hardware instrument sales, and professional services, with a consultative, demo-driven enterprise sales motion. It operates nine offices across France, Ireland, Canada, Mexico, Peru, Brazil, and Kyrgyzstan, plus distributor coverage in South Africa (LJM Services) and the USA (Deep Earth Logic). The company remains privately held with no disclosed funding rounds, is led by founder Dr. Thierry Bernard (Scientific Director) and Managing Partner Philippe Dozolme (appointed 2023), and employs 11-50 people. Recent recognition includes the 1st National IBRAM Award for Best Mining Practices in Brazil (2024, jointly with Vale) and the MOCI Trophy #1 SME for International Development (2025).

Name

DNA Blast Group

Legal name

DNA-Blast Group

Website

https://dna-blast.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DNA Blast Group develops predictive blasting simulation software and AI-powered field instruments for the mining, cement, and explosives industries. The Nice-based firm serves global mining operators, cement producers, explosives manufacturers, and engineering consultancies via its I-Blast platform and integrated hardware ecosystem.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mining Blasting Simulation Software

NAICS

Mining Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing (333131), Support Activities for Metal Mining (213114)

SIC

Mining Machinery & Equip (No Oil & Gas Field Mach & Equip) (3532), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Blasting & Explosives Services (Drill-and-Blast, Explosives Supply, Shot Services) (IMAKAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Rock Drilling & Blasthole Drilling Equipment (IMAHAMAC)

Keywords

• Blasting simulation software
• Mine digital twin
• Predictive blasting
• Rock fragmentation measurement
• Mining blast optimization

Headquarters

HQ city

Nice

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Software Licenses (I-Blast Suite): I-Blast software sold in editions (DE/Design Express, EVO/Evolution, EVO+, ULT/Ultimate) with tiered capabilities from basic CAD design to advanced 3D digital twin simulation. EVO+ includes ULT license days for occasional access to advanced functions. Likely subscription or perpetual license model based on edition tiers.
2. Hardware Instruments (DNA-FragCam, DNA-AIDEV, DNA-OnSite): Sale of field hardware instruments including AI fragmentation cameras, hole deviation probes, rugged tablet applications, RTK positioning kits, and next-generation seismographs. Hardware closes the loop between blast design and field reality.
3. Professional Services & Support: On-site deployment, training, and technical support services ensuring solutions are operational and integrated from day one. Field engineers and geologists provide implementation support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

DNA Blast Group develops and sells the I-Blast Predictive Blasting software suite — a physics-based blast design, simulation and 4D Digital Twin platform — complemented by field hardware instruments (DNA-FragCam AI fragmentation camera, DNA-AIDEV hole deviation probe, DNA-OnSite rugged tablet app, DNA-Monitor) and the I-Blast Dashboard web portal. Together these offerings help mining operators predict fragmentation and vibration outcomes, reduce blasting-related risks and connect blasting decisions to downstream Mine-to-Market performance.

Product overview

DNA Blast Group offers a platform-plus-modules architecture centered on I-Blast predictive blasting software, complemented by field hardware instruments. The software suite spans four tiers: I-Blast DE (Design Express) for foundational CAD-based blast design; I-Blast EVO and EVO+ for comprehensive engineering with simulation and seismic analysis; and I-Blast ULT (Ultimate) for advanced 3D/4D Digital Twin optimization. I-Blast Dashboard provides a web-based KPI portal for management visibility. The field hardware portfolio includes DNA-FragCam (AI-powered fragmentation camera), DNA-OnSite (rugged field tablet app), DNA-AIDEV (hole deviation probe), and DNA-Vib (next-generation seismograph in development). These products form an integrated Predictive Blasting ecosystem where field data from hardware instruments feeds the I-Blast Digital Twin for simulation and optimization, supporting the Mine-to-Market performance chain.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• I-Blast: Predictive blasting software platform for blast design, simulation, and digital twin technology. Includes I-Blast DE (Design Express), I-Blast EVO/EVO+, and I-Blast ULT (Ultimate) editions.
• DNA-Connect
• DNA-FragCam
• DNA-OnSite
• DNA-AIDEV
• DNA-Monitor
• DNA-Vib
• DNA-Blast Dashboard

Products and services

• I-Blast Predictive Blasting Software Suite Tiered physics-based blast-design and simulation suite for mining blasting engineers, with editions I-Blast DE (Design Express) for CAD-based bench/hole layout and drill pattern creation; I-Blast EVO adding blast design, seismic analysis, fragmentation, energy distribution and MWD integration; I-Blast EVO+ adding ULT license days for advanced simulation; and I-Blast ULT adding 4D voxel Digital Twin, sequence optimization, signature-hole deconvolution and 3D fragmentation modeling.
• I-Blast Dashboard Web-based management portal that centralizes blast KPIs across sites, providing real-time visibility on fragmentation, vibration, costs, explosive consumption and operational performance from any browser.
• DNA-FragCam AI-powered continuous fragmentation measurement system using advanced image processing; mounts on conveyor belts, crusher feeds or truck loading points for 24/7 real-time particle-size-distribution monitoring with an IP66 rugged enclosure and direct integration to the I-Blast platform.
• DNA-OnSite Rugged tablet application that brings blast design to the field, enabling real-time QA/QC with centimeter-level accuracy via the DNA-RTK positioning kit, Bluetooth connectivity to the DNA-AIDEV probe, and direct sync with the I-Blast database.
• DNA-AIDEV Compact 40mm-diameter stainless-steel inclinometer probe that measures blast-hole azimuth (0-360°, <1° precision) and zenith (±180°) at any depth, connecting via Bluetooth to the DNA-OnSite app to feed real-time deviation data into I-Blast.
• DNA-Monitor Blast monitoring solution for real-time vibration tracking and risk-level assessment across blast operations, supporting compliance and live performance visibility.
• Professional Services &amp; Support On-site deployment, training and technical support services performed by field engineers and geologists, ensuring the I-Blast platform and DNA field instruments are operational and integrated with customer operations from day one.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% fragmentation prediction accuracy
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers21 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• LJM ServicesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNamed distributor for South Africa, managed by Lindi Mapaila in Johannesburg. Represents DNA-Blast products in the South African market.
• Deep Earth LogicminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNamed distributor for the USA (Cleveland, NC), managed by John Babcock. Represents DNA-Blast products in the US market.
• Business FrancecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPart of the coordinated French delegation at Mining Indaba 2026, representing French industrial capabilities in financing, equipment supply, engineering services, and professional support functions for Franco-African mining partnerships.
• Daron GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the coordinated French delegation at Mining Indaba 2026 representing French industrial capabilities in engineering services for Franco-African mining partnerships.
• Forvis MazarsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPart of the coordinated French delegation at Mining Indaba 2026 representing professional support functions for Franco-African mining partnerships and critical mineral supply chains.
• Friedlander InternationalminorOthersPart of the coordinated French delegation at Mining Indaba 2026 representing professional support functions for Franco-African mining partnerships.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Datamine: Provider of mine planning, design and simulation software (Studio OP, Surpac) widely used by the same mining operators DNA Blast serves. Directly comparable as a software-only competitor in the digital mine-planning stack that includes blast design modules.
• Maptek: Mining software company offering blast design, fragmentation analysis (Fragmentation Analysis System) and 3D mine planning tools. Closely comparable in addressing drilling-and-blast optimization with hardware-software integration for surface and underground mining.
• Deswik: Mine planning software vendor with a dedicated Drill and Blast module used by major mining houses. Comparable as a specialized software competitor selling into the same mining engineer buyer with similar workflow-level functionality.
• Austin Powder: Privately held global explosives manufacturer with a digital blast-services offering for mining, quarrying and construction. Comparable as a similarly-sized, privately held specialist competing for the same drill-and-blast optimization spend.

Broad incumbents

• Hexagon Mining: Division of Hexagon AB providing mine planning, fleet management and Blast Movement Technology for ore control. Overlaps DNA Blast's blast-simulation niche but operates as part of a much broader mine-technology portfolio sold to the same Tier-1 mining customers.
• Orica: World's largest commercial explosives manufacturer and DNA Blast customer, which also sells BlastIQ, a digital blast-design and analytics platform. Direct competitor on the digital blasting side while also being a channel/integration partner through electronic detonators.
• Dyno Nobel: Global explosives manufacturer (owned by Incitec Pivot) and listed DNA Blast customer. Competes via its own digital blasting tools and bulk explosives supply chain, offering blast-design and modeling capabilities as part of a much wider explosives and services portfolio.
• Epiroc: Major mining and infrastructure equipment manufacturer offering drilling rigs and automation that integrate MWD data with blast planning workflows. Adjacent competitor that can bundle its own digital blast optimization tools with the drill fleet DNA Blast's software depends on.

Regional players

• BME (Omnia Holdings): South African-based blasting and explosives business (part of Omnia Holdings) serving African mining with its own digital blast-design tools. Comparable in product offering but primarily competes in DNA Blast's distributor-led South African market rather than its direct European/LATAM base.

Emerging players

• Seequent (Bentley Systems): Geoscience and 3D modeling software (Leapfrog, OpenGround) used by mining engineers for geological modeling that feeds blast design. Comparable as an emerging player in the same digital-twin-adjacent workflow with growing exposure to mining operators.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dna-blast

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DNA Blast Group