ESG is at the core of fulfilling Omnia’s purpose of Innovating to enhance life, together creating a greener future, with a key pillar for delivering on this strategy being the company’s commitment to caring for the planet. In line with this commitment, Omnia in collaboration with Hypex Bio Explosives Technology (Hypex Bio), showcased Hypex Bio’s innovative nitrate-free explosive emulsion technology at a media event held at Omnia’s Head Office in Fourways, Johannesburg.
Omnia entered into a strategic partnership with Hypex Bio in 2023 through an equity investment. The investment secured Omnia exclusive distribution rights for Hypex Bio’s market-leading technology in Canada and other major global mining markets.
Hypex Bio is at the forefront of novel and sustainable civil explosives solutions. The company has developed a groundbreaking hydrogen peroxide emulsion (HPE) system, which offers significant environmental benefits. This is the first nitrate-free emulsion explosive in the market and the technology has the potential to revolutionise the explosives supply industry.
Globally, it is estimated that 20 Mt of bulk nitrate-based explosives are used annually. Therefore, it costs mining companies billions of dollars annually to manage emissions from blasting to air, water and land. This is in addition to indirect costs relating to delays in approvals for new mines or mine expansions due to water treatment requirements.
The HPE developed by Hypex Bio reduces nitrogen oxides (NOx) air emissions by 90%, addressing a critical environmental concern in the mining industry. Additionally, HPE’s composition, free from nitrates and ammonia, means it does not contribute to nitrate pollution in water sources. This offers substantial environmental and health benefits, as residual HPE decomposes into water and oxygen.
Ralf Hennecke, MD of BME, states: “The investment in Hypex Bio is a good strategic fit and enhances our competitive advantage in the market. This pioneering alternative emulsion system, coupled with access to state-of-the-art technology enables us to help our customers achieve their ESG goals.”
To date, Hypex Bio’s offering has seen significant interest from global mining companies. In Europe, Scandinavian underground mines and construction contractors are currently early adopters of hydrogen peroxide emulsion technology.
“Africa is a key mining market and it is critical for stakeholders to understand the benefits of the hydrogen peroxide emulsion in reducing nitrate oxide emissions, and how our technology has the potential to revolutionise the mining industry. This is particularly important as mining companies have committed to reducing carbon emission in line with their transition to net zero,” adds Thomas Gustavsson, CEO of Hypex Bio.
Commenting on Omnia’s commitment to deliver sustainable solutions in the mining industry Seelan Gobalsamy, CEO of Omnia, states: “Our investment in Hypex Bio positions us at the forefront of a game-changing shift in the global explosives market, with significant environmental benefits. With increasing demand from the mining industry for reduced carbon technologies, we felt it was imperative to showcase Hypex Bio’s technology to the global mining industry and how our partnership demonstrates our commitment to our purpose of innovating to enhance life, together creating a greener future.”
