FEATURE
Omnia solidifies its position as a pioneer in the mining sector
Mining division delivers ground-breaking “ world first in Africa ” solution for purer metals extraction and initiates the largest detonator blast in South Africa
BME also supplied other necessary equipment for the explosion , including boosters and surface wire . BME ’ s ground-breaking AXXIS™ electronic initiation system - which improves the safety , ease of use and accuracy of blasts – was a key contributor to this success . The latest iteration of the initiation system - AXXIS Titanium™ ( designed to provide longer lead times , greater control and better data ) - is currently undergoing final trials ahead of its market launch , which is planned for later this year .
Seelan Gobalsamy , CEO of Omnia Holdings ( for emailing ) length ( for emailing )
Diversified chemicals group , Omnia
Holdings ( Omnia ), is celebrating record-breaking achievements across Protea Mining Chemicals and BME , which together form the Group ’ s mining division .
Protea Mining Chemicals Copper Production Solution Protea Mining Chemicals has become the first in its field - globally - to develop a solution that helps copper and cobalt mines reduce product contamination ( improving metal purity levels ) and maximise throughput in the solvent extraction process . This pioneering solution took six years to develop and was done so in partnership with chemicals manufacturers and copper and cobalt mining customers in the DRC .
Finding safer , more efficient ways to extract valuable resources and enhance profitability continues to be a priority in the mining sector – which has been particularly constrained by the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic . This discovery will extend the life of copper and cobalt mines and assist profitability . Protea Mining Chemicals is working closely with other mines to replicate this success in other regions . “ Over the past few decades , many unsuccessful attempts have been made by mining houses , global chemical manufacturers , as well as solvent extraction equipment and process engineers to address this issue of contamination . Needless to say , this has been a very challenging journey and we are delighted by what we have been able to achieve ,” added Michael Smith , Managing Director at Protea Mining Chemicals .
BME Electronic Detonator Blast Records Protea Mining Chemicals unmatched achievement comes hot on the heels of BME ’ s record-setting accomplishment .
The division recently initiated the largest , single electronic detonator blast in South Africa using 3,780 detonators at a manganese mine near Hotazel in the Northern Cape . Powered by more than 461 tonnes of high-quality emulsion from BME ’ s Losberg plant in Gauteng , the explosion moved 890,000 tonnes of overburden ( soil , rocks , etc .).
“ BME ’ s ongoing product development has positioned us well to consistently produce quality blasts that deliver on customer requirements . Our versatile and easy-to-use AXXIS™ system facilitates larger less frequent blasts , reducing the disruption caused by blastrelated pit stoppages and improving mine productivity ,” said Joe Keenan , Managing Director of BME .
BME ’ s record-setting streak included initiating the biggest , single blast in the world . The division used 7,401 electronic detonators in a large copper mine in Africa , breaking its own record – which was previously held for firing 7,350 detonators in a single blast at a large opencast coal mine in Queensland , Australia .
“ These are not only great achievements for Protea Mining Chemicals , BME and Omnia Group , but also unparalleled wins for the African continent . This worldfirst discovery and greatly advanced blasting technology are testament to the intellectual capital , innovation and solutions-focused thinking that enables Africans to effectively compete on a global stage . We are also very proud of how our customer-centric partnership philosophy and collaborative approaches continue to translate to compelling solutions ,” said Seelan Gobalsamy , Omnia ’ s CEO .
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