The alignment of Omnia Holdings’ BME and PMC brands under a single unified mining division, BME, ushers in a new era in the global mining value chain. Nishen Hariparsad, GM Technology and Marketing at BME, says the alignment means that the blasting and explosives business previously called BME will now be rebranded as BME Blasting Solutions, while PMC has been rebranded as BME Metallurgy.
Commenting on the strategic intent of the alignment, Hariparsad tells Quarrying Africa that, fundamentally, it should be acknowledged that PMC has always been working in the same space as BME and the two brands share the same customers and contribute to the same value chain, which means it makes perfect sense to put both businesses under one umbrella.
“This allows us to coordinate activities and provide a more cohesive solution to address our customers’ pain points,” he says. “Everything we do and the strategies we pursue are always consistent with our values, purpose and vision, and this rebrand reinforces our commitment to delivering sustainable future-fit solutions for the industry. Having blasting solutions and metallurgy in one basket allows our customers to unlock value and efficiency, as well as optimise yield and improve their operations.”
Primary functions and synergies
As part of the rebrand, Omnia’s mining business will focus on two revitalised offerings, BME Blasting Solutions, specialising in explosives and initiation systems, and BME Metallurgy, dedicated to mining chemicals and metallurgical solutions for enhanced mineral recovery.
“BME’s 40-year success in the market stems from its ability to deliver future-fit solutions in the mining industry. Over the years, the company has evolved to offer a set of activities and products that deliver value beyond blasting, hence BME Blasting Solutions,” says Hariparsad. “On the other hand, the mining chemicals business has over the years consistently raised the bar in adding value to respective mining chemistries, whether in the base metals space or other mineral fields, hence the name BME Metallurgy, which speaks to the mineral and metal sciences domain.”
Commenting on the synergies between the two offerings, Hariparsad says the consolidation of Omnia’s mining offering under one stable unlocks significant value to the global mining value chain by providing solutions in both rock-breaking and mineral processing. These two processes are closely linked, coming at the beginning and end of the mining phase. The quality of blasting on a mine, for example, affects how effectively minerals can be liberated in the process plant.
“The BME Metallurgy function offers a selection of services downstream of the milling and comminution circuit, while BME Blasting Solutions is instrumental in the upstream value share of our mining customers’ operations. Together, the two brands are stronger and geared to offer a holistic solution to the industry,” he says.
Adding to the synergies, Hariparsad says both BME Blasting Solutions and BME Metallurgy operate in an environment plagued by consistent operational challenges and technical conundrums. The current pain points range from poor fragmentation and environmental concerns through to lower production efficiencies, yield inefficiencies and increased energy consumption, amongst others.
The rebranded BME business, says Hariparsad, allows BME to tackle these challenges with a dual focus – upstream and downstream of the mill circuit – for the sole purpose of providing a comprehensive solution to the industry.
“The synergy is about delivering efficiencies – be it production efficiencies, yield optimisation or environmental efficiencies – across the mining value chain. Under the BME Blasting Solutions banner, we have always had innovative blasting solutions that are instrumental in delivering consistent feedstock to the mill circuit. With BME Metallurgy, we can now take it further by providing performance chemicals that are key to optimising yield extraction and improving purity grades,” he says.
Value proposition
Commenting on the value proposition, Hariparsad says the alignment gives mining customers enhanced access to a fully integrated value proposition and solution. “This alignment ensures BME takes mining solutions beyond the mining bench and extends our value offering to the milling and comminution circuit. From improved fragmentation, optimal blast outcomes to increasing recoveries, enhancing metal grades and improving yield – the value proposition that BME has for the market is unique, targeted and holistic,” he says.
Another key aspect of the value to the customer is the safety that BME ensures in terms of handling, storage and applications, as well as supply chain solutions for procurement and transportation. Customers, adds Hariparsad, can rest assured that the aligned BME will meet the highest levels of compliance in both blasting solutions and mining chemicals.
In addition, he says, the rebranding strongly aligns with the purpose of Omnia, which is “innovating to enhance life, creating a greener future”. Both BME Blasting Solutions and BME Metallurgy contribute to sustainable and cost-effective mineral liberation.
“Energy efficiency in particular is taking centre stage in the mining industry. Electricity is an expensive utility requirement for the energy-hungry mining industry. Good blasting techniques can reduce energy consumption in mines by improving the quality of feedstock to the crushing plant, which, in turn, can lead to less energy being used in the crushing and screening stages. Through tailored performance chemistry we are also able to reduce energy consumption for customers, which not only reflects positively in their balance sheet, but also helps meet their sustainability goals,” concludes Hariparsad.
