By Bela Kogan
BME, a division of South Africa-based Omnia Group, is at the forefront of advancing sustainability and environmental stewardship in the global mining industry. As a silver sponsor of the 2025 Investing in African Mining Indaba held from February 3-6 in Cape Town, BME highlighted its commitment to decarbonization and advanced mining technologies that drive efficiency while reducing environmental impact.
The Mining Indaba stands as Africa’s largest mining investment event, a pivotal gathering that unites mining companies, investors, governments, and diverse stakeholders. Since 1994, it has played a crucial role in shaping the trajectory of mining on the continent, serving as a premier venue for networking, deal-making, and discussions on technological advancements, sustainable practices, and investment opportunities. The event aims to promote responsible mining, foster partnerships with local communities, and ensure transparency, driving innovation and collaboration for a resilient and prosperous future for the African mining sector. Mining Indaba is increasingly focused on the minerals vital to revolutionizing the African continent and positioning it on the global competitive stage. The 2025 Indaba addressed the question of which minerals are critical for Africa, including minerals such as gold, bauxite, manganese, iron ore, coal, potash, and phosphates, and how they can add local value through downstream opportunities.
In an interview at the Mining Indaba, Ralf Hennecke, Managing Director at BME, outlined the company’s multi-faceted approach to sustainability. This includes optimizing blasting through digitization and data analytics, contributing to the circular economy by recycling water, waste and oil, and introducing cleaner and safer blasting agents.
BME’s global footprint spans key mining regions, including Africa, North America, Indonesia and Australia, demonstrating how its sustainable solutions are transforming mining operations worldwide. In Australia, BME is ramping up its capabilities, with plans to become the first local manufacturer of electronic detonators in Western Australia, providing supply chain security and logistical benefits to mining customers. Production is slated to begin by May 2025. This move includes local manufacturing of detonators and other products in state-of-the-art automated facilities. In Canada, BME has been establishing infrastructure, including building assembly plants for electronic and non-electric detonators. Across these diverse markets, the company’s low-carbon blasting,
energy-efficient emulsions and electronic initiation systems enable mines to reduce emissions, improve efficiency and comply with tightening regulations.
“Sustainability and ESG cannot be separated into various components,” explained Hennecke. “We contribute to the circular economy by recycling water, waste from production, and used oil. Between 25-30 million litres of waste oil is collected, processed and used per annum, saving immense amounts of water from contamination.”
Blasting optimization is key, as improvements cascade to subsequent processes. BME leverages technology and data analytics to enhance outcomes. “It’s all about data – collection, storage, analytics and predictive modelling,” said Hennecke. “That is our key contribution to sustainability.”
BME has also acquired a stake in Hypex Bio, a Swedish manufacturer of nitrate-free explosives using hydrogen peroxide. This eliminates nitrous fumes, water contamination and carbon emissions. BME is planning to build Hypex Bio technology plants in some of our key focus areas.
“Hypex Bio can change the mining industry going forward. We see it as a disruptor,” Hennecke noted.
As part of its global expansion and sustainability initiatives, BME sees opportunities to localize supply chains and procure inputs from around the world, including from China, a major player in the mining industry. Hennecke expressed respect for Chinese businesses as potential partners in advancing global sustainability goals.
“The targets for green mining are ambitious but can be achieved if we all work together,” Hennecke affirmed. “This transformative shift will happen industrywide.”
Through its comprehensive ESG approach and innovation, BME has established itself as a sustainability champion in mining worldwide and stands ready to lead the sector’s challenging transition.
