The associated benefits of using electronic detonators, such as accurate, safe and controlled blasting, and the positive impact of this on mine profitability, have created a significant rise in demand for these devices, says explosives producer BME marketing and international business manager Charles Hurly.

He says the company will take advantage of the growing demand for electronic detonators by showcasing products such as its Axxis digital initiation system, together with its AxiSoft blasting software at the 2012 Investing in African Mining Indaba.

Hurly states that the blasting design software is a step-up from the existing Blast- Map software, as it exploits the abilities of the more modern and accurate electronic detonator.

“BME senior managers will be at our stand, offering interested parties technical information on the products and services, as well as practical first-hand knowledge of the systems’ workings and of the benefits derived from a value, safety and operational convenience perspective,” he adds.

Hurly says that, although BME is widely known in Africa, exhibiting at the indaba will increase international awareness of the BME brand and the company’s association with commercial explosives.

“The indaba allows for continued association with the mining community, which gives BME an indication of future trends within the global mining and industrial spheres.

“Our goal is to ensure that customers will continue to see BME as a long-term supply partner committed to delivering security and innovation,” he enthuses.

Projects

Hurly expects significant explosives supply contracts to be awarded to BME in the coming year.

His confidence is motivated by the dramatic ramp-up in copper production in Zambia, as well as various new contracts in Botswana.
Further, growth in uranium projects in Namibia, copper projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as coal projects in Mozambique, also create optimism.

In addition, Hurly says the company has experienced definite growth in the iron-ore and gold mining sectors.

“West Africa offers promising opportunities in iron-ore and gold. There are a number of new projects in Mauritania, with diamond mining and iron-ore mining projects in Sierra Leone,” he points out.

BME commissioned mobile emulsion plants in in Mauritania and Sierra Leone in 2011.

Further, BME has also installed a mobile emulsion plant at a diamond mine, in Angola.

To ensure greater control and flexibility and BME’s independence in emulsifier technology, the company constructed and commissioned its own emulsifier plant in South Africa, at Losberg, in the North West, last year.

Obstacles

Hurly says that, from a capital equipment point of view, it is challenging for explosives companies to gear up to meet demand growth in the mining sector, as the increased demand for commodities has given rise to long lead times for equipment procurement.

“Internationally, explosives companies are always under pressure to ensure their operational functionality, while complying with all the new business environment aspects, whether legal, environmental or cultural.”

Further, he says, to prevent operational challenges, mining companies must realise that new operations in distant markets require local expertise and an understanding that business models need to be flexible.

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