COMPANY INSIGHT

Driving blasting technology for Africa and beyond

BME is all about innovation – using technology to ensure that every blast brings value to our customers.

Formed in 1984 on the strength of a new cold emulsion technology that has since become an industry standard. BME now offers cutting-edge products and services at every stage in the explosives supply chain. We are today a leading manufacturer and supplier in Africa of explosives, related accessories and blasting services to the mining, quarrying and construction industries.

We work wherever our customers take us. Our footprint covers 17 African countries including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Swaziland, Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, DRC, Sierra Leone, Mali, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Senegal and Eritrea. BME also has legal entities in Indonesia and Australia and continues to expand.

More than half of the country’s coal mines are managed by pro-Russian separatist militia.Credit: DmyTo/Shutterstock.

More than half of the country’s coal mines are managed by pro-Russian separatist militia.

Credit: DmyTo/Shutterstock.

Secure supply lines and safety first

As a division of the JSE-listed Omnia Group, BME has leveraged considerable investment in our manufacturing base, including:

Two nitric acid plants;
Two ammonium nitrate facilities and a prilling plant;
A cartridge explosive facility;
A detonator plant;
Over a dozen emulsion plants throughout Africa.

Our expertise and experience of working in Africa allows us to rapidly supply and commission emulsion plants at any location. With the production infrastructure and supply network that we have developed over the past three decades, our clients are assured of seamless service. We also enforce a best practice environment that prioritises health and safety for all stakeholders.

From bulk emulsions, plants and trucks – to software and initiating systems

BME’s main product ranges include:

We provide a wide range of technical services from routine blast monitoring using modern equipment and software to advanced consultancy and optimisation projects. Our leading design software, including BLASTMAP™ III, and our AXXIS^™ Digital Initiation System provide the advantage in achieving cost saving initiatives in blasting. The aim is more wealth for you through improved efficiencies from blasting optimally. Examples are:

Reduced ore dilution and finer fragmentation for increased mineral recovery and higher plant throughput rates.
Improved wall quality and potentially steeper walls for reduced waste mining and longer life of mine.
Up to 25% higher rates of ore exposure using effective timing designs and accurate AXXIS^™ electronic detonators.
Single-pass multiple seam mining using advanced timing designs and AXXIS^™ electronic detonators.

Our main services include: