Botswana's coal industry has been described as “one of most exciting stories in Africa today” by one of the leading suppliers of explosives and services to the continent's mining sector.

“These people are the cornerstone of BME's offerings because – no matter how great the technology – you need people to work it.”

Donald Motloung, international business manager for BME, said “With an approximate resource base of seven billion tonnes of coal, there is potential to mine as much as 90 million tonnes for export”.

BME recently took the decision to increase its investment in operations in Botswana, despite claiming that the outlook for the market remained “unclear to the untrained eye”.

“Our approach to the Botswana operations is in line with our approach to the rest of Africa,” remarked Motloung. “We see huge potential on the continent and as African explosives suppliers, great opportunity too.”

BME will be looking to outline its role in Botswana's mining during its participation in the Coal Botswana conference, which will take place in Gabarone from 25-27 March 2014.

“BME people at the exhibition will give visitors a taste of the service orientation and can-do attitude of our employees,” said Motloung. “These people are the cornerstone of BME's offerings because – no matter how great the technology – you need people to work it.”

“We will also introduce visitors to the various technologically advanced BME products and equipment, as well as services and blasting solutions,” he added.

BME has more than 100 staff working in Botswana and currently runs operations in Angola, Burkina Faso, DR Congo, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Namibia, South Africa, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.