Modern Mining April 2023

West Africa

Delivering innovative solutions to the mining sector According to Baudrand, the Enaex group is lead ing the way in innovations related to teleoperated mines and is pioneering robotics in blasting. It has, since 2019, been offering remotely operated robotic solutions. Enaex’s purpose is to “humanise mining” by improving mining complex working con ditions and decreasing risk to employees on-site. The main focus of the robotic innova tions is to achieve three objectives namely:  Reduce exposure to risk to our employees, improve working conditions and ultimately enhance their life quality.  To offer a solution for high-risk operations, always seeking to improve people’s safety levels, by taking them out of the danger. This will make mining resources viable where, given the level of risk, a traditional operation is precluded.  To implement remote and automated operations, modernise the traditional min ing method, generate a technological leap, and advance productivity. “We have completed the development of the first

Above: Enaex undertaking blasting at Grootegeluk mine.

Left: Prillex Plant in Chile - largest explosives-grade ammonium nitrate production complex in the world.

medium to long-term strategy sees the explosives manufacturer firmly set on expanding its footprint to the West African market, which is an important source of gold, cobalt, copper, diamonds and rare earth metals. The region is also rich in aluminium, nickel, phosphate, manganese and zinc, among others. With its growth aspirations tied to resource rich African countries that offer political stability, Enaex Africa’s strategy is to partner with local entities, that can add value to the business, in identified target countries. “However,” explains Baudrand, “if we don’t feel comfortable with the level of political and economic stability in a particular country, we may choose to trade product instead of establishing an in-country subsidiary, given we would like our shareholders to be comfortable in the areas in which we operate.” In 2021, the company established a subsidiary with a local partner in Botswana. The short-term objective is to grow and become the leading explo sives supplier in that country. The same strategy of partnering with locals, has been considered in Zambia for the new venture. However, underpinning the BBBEE Level 2 cer tified company’s growth strategy, is its focus on improving its safety record. According to Baudrand, the company is aligned with meeting and surpassing its safety record. “We have improved our safety record significantly from 2021 to 2022, including decreasing our lost time injury frequency rate by 80% and always putting safety first in everything that we do,” he says.

“If we don’t feel comfortable with the level of political and economic stability in a particular country, we may choose to trade product instead of establishing an in country subsidiary, given we would like our shareholders to be comfortable in the areas in which we operate,” explains Baudrand

Enaex MMU’s in operation at Manungo Mine.

April 2023  MODERN MINING  9