SOUTH AFRICAN SUPPLIERS
The transition from open-pit mines to underground mines in southern Africa is likely to bring new opportunities for shaft sinking and underground mining specialists , according to Murray & Roberts Cementation
On the tech trail
The region of southern Africa continues to retain a top tier position in the mining equipment , technology and supplier league tables , with innovators continuing to up their game , Dan Gleeson writes
With thousands of interested parties gearing up for next month ’ s Investing in African Mining Indaba , in Cape Town , South Africa , now seems as good a time as any to take the pulse of the southern African mining supplier space .
While the Cape Town show is mainly geared towards investment , it also provides a great backdrop for ‘ local ’ suppliers to showcase their wares .
BME going global
One of the company ’ s planning to do just that is BME , a frontrunner in the global explosives and blasting space .
The company recently received a shoutout from Omnia Holdings , its parent company , in its six-month results to September 30 , 2024 , with Omnia saying sustained robust growth in its mining segment was a key driver of its rising revenue and profit .
The group reported a 5 % year-on-year boost in revenue to R10.9 billion ($ 614 million ) in the sixmonth period , alongside a 17 % improvement in operating profit to R802 million .
On mining specifically – which , for Omnia , entails its BME business and the explosives , related accessories and blasting services offering – the company said : “ The mining segment continued to demonstrate strong growth and robust performance . This growth was achieved through a combination of new and extended contracts , increased ammonia derivative sales and new contract wins . Revenue increased by 15 % to R4.7 billion while operating profit grew by 18 % to R535 million . The segment effectively navigated global macroeconomic challenges and supply chain constraints to ensure uninterrupted supply to customers .”
The growth outlook for the group remains positive with solid traction gained in the reporting period , it noted .
The construction of an additional ammonium nitrate storage in Sasolburg will double storage capacity , further increasing supply chain flexibility and enabling consistent supply to customers .
The mining segment increased its momentum in its expansion efforts . Contract extensions and organic growth in the Southern African Development Community ( SADC ) region , as well as new contracts in Namibia , enhanced volumes in this core market .
In Indonesia three new contracts were successfully secured , signalling further growth in the region . While , in Canada , BME commissioned its non-electronic detonator manufacturing facility .
In the company ’ s 2026 financial year , BME in partnership with Hypex Bio , is set to launch a first of its kind nitrate-free explosives to the Canadian market .
In 2023 , Omnia announced a strategic partnership with Sweden-based Hypex Bio Explosives Technology and the acquisition of a minority equity stake in the company , looking to bring Hypex Bio ’ s emulsion offering to its customers .
In Australia , BME has commenced the building of its largest Mobile Manufacturing Units ( MMU ) with the first of these units expected to arrive towards the end of the 2025 financial year . Additionally , cold commissioning of Western Australia ’ s first electronic detonator plant has begun with production anticipated shortly .
In terms of product development , earlier this year , BME announced Innovex™ 300D – a high-
10 International Mining | JANUARY 2025