BME is a leader in blasting solutions for the mining sector and is building its commercial success on firm sustainability principles – which benefit both its social and natural environment.

In line with the vision of parent company Omnia group, this strategy includes offering greener and more sustainable products, technology, and services.

The group’s goal is to create a better world by continuously striving to achieve Zero Harm and positive impact through responsible business practices.

At BME, one of the important programmes to achieve this is its used oil initiative, in which waste oil is collected from customers and third parties, to be used as a fuel agent in our world- leading emulsion explosives. This enables an alternative emulsion technology which uses a low carbon source and is disposed of safely during the blasting process.

The initiative generates several environmental and social benefits – for BME, its customers, mining host communities and the broader society. The first benefit relates to the stewardship of the country’s scarce water resources.

By responsibly collecting and recycling waste oil, BME can ensure that this oil does not contaminate valuable surface water, groundwater, or land.

If used oil leaks into the environment or is disposed of irresponsibly, it can present a significant threat to the ecosystem in terms of water quality and hence water security. Contamination can also affect food security by undermining the health of soil and agriculture.

BME now collects almost 25 million liters of used oil each year in South Africa alone, making it one of the country’s largest consumers of this waste product. Among the sources of this used oil are BME’s own mining customers, whose ESG targets are well served by BME’s service.

The used oil programme also promotes local employment in communities, as it supports a network of small-scale collectors who transport the waste oil to BME’s depots.

The company now has extensive logistical arrangements, allowing used oil to be sourced from 11 approved suppliers or bulking points. The oil is processed and tested at a dedicated facility in Delmas, from where it can be channeled into BME’s emulsion production.

The company’s expanding business and its leading emulsion technology is driving the consumption of growing volumes of used oil. The company can incorporate steadily higher proportions of used oil in comparison to conventional fuel agents.

As it expands its commercial operations across the globe, BME’s used oil capability has not been limited to South Africa – but has been applied for mining customers as far afield as West Africa and Indonesia.

In neighbouring southern African countries, this used oil initiative is drawing on small and even informal businesses to collect used oil, thus creating demand in the local economy.

The company’s regular and growing demand for used oil provides a solid platform for these service providers. Wherever there are sufficient sources of used oil, BME can put the equipment and processes in place to support the principles of a more circular economy.

Watch to learn more about the Mining Elite initiative:

View the original publication here: http://clarioneventsmedia.com/2023/MRA/2023MRAElites/