Modern Mining August 2021

BME well-aligned with mining’s safety, sustainability vision

As the mining sector looks ahead to a brighter and more sustainable future, Omnia Group company BME has built a strategic foundation to support its mining customers’ ambitious vision for the future. While southern Africa’s mining sector was still not where it was seven or eight years ago, there has recently been improved industry performance in minerals such as gold, iron ore, platinum group metals, manganese, copper and cobalt. According to Ralf Hennecke, BME SADC MD, this is having a particularly positive impact in areas such as South Africa’s Northern Cape province and on the Zambian copper belt. There are even prospects of mines reopening in Namibia if the uranium price continues to strengthen, he notes. “Countries like Botswana have also seen better conditions in their mining industry, with increased copper and coal mining activity and the

BME’s used oil truck collects used oil from customers.

likelihood of diamond prices recovering,” says Hennecke. “The mineral potential of Zimbabwe remains significant, and there is certainly an expectation that mining will play a stronger role in its economy in the medium to long term.” To fully support this growth, he notes that it is no longer enough for supply partners in mining to just deliver their offerings. In addition, they need to actively participate in supporting mines’ safety and sustainability priorities through their own actions. Aligned with the broader Omnia Group vision of “protecting life, sustaining livelihoods and leaving a better world” “BME strives to promote a sustainable environment, for instance, as integral to our core offerings,” says Hennecke. “This includes our safety record, our innovative disposal of used oil and our commitment to renewable energy.” The company’s safety performance was rec- ognised last year by the Chemical and Allied Industries Association (CAIA) with an award for sustained safety performance. BME’s world- class recordable case rate of 0,11 compares well with peers in its market segment. “We have continued to incorporate used oil as a fuel agent in our emulsion explosives, which has direct benefits for customers and the planet,” he says. “We collect this oil from min- ing customers, providing a valuable disposal service while reducing their environmen- tal risk related to any potential soil or water contamination.” BME has also been taking steps to reduce its own carbon footprint with initiatives that include the progressive installation of renew- able energy across its manufacturing and assembly plants. Hennecke also highlights the company’s recent launch of its Blast Alliance brand – representing leading digital technologies that improve on-mine efficien- cies. This in turn supports mines’ efforts to reduce energy consumption and lower their carbon emissions. 

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