Can you share some notable achievements of BME since 2020?

Certainly. One of the significant areas we focused on in 2020 was navigating through the global Covid-19 pandemic. In South Africa, we faced a challenging lockdown and encountered cross-border issues. However, despite these obstacles, we successfully maintained our supply chain service offerings to our customers. We take pride in the fact that BME maintained its impeccable safety record, and in November 2020, we received a CAIA safety award for sustained performance. This recognition is a testament to our commitment to safety. Additionally, we achieved a world-class recordable case rate of 0.11, which compares favorably to our industry peers.

From a product perspective, we introduced our Blast Alliance brand, which brings together our wide range of high-value products, equipment, capital, technical services, and technologies into one cohesive offering. We also made significant progress in digitization technology, aligning ourselves with the evolving landscape of work and market demands.

Can you provide more details about BME’s BLASTMAP product and the need for it in underground mines?

The mining industry is witnessing significant growth in smart mining technologies, which are projected to expand fourfold in the next three years. Our BLASTMAP and XPLOLOG software play a vital role in enabling real-time reporting in mining operations. BLASTMAP serves as the starting point in the blasting process, allowing users to design and predict the outcomes of blasts easily. The information is then transmitted to the XPLOLOG system, which applies it in the field, providing real-time operational data to management.

BLASTMAP is particularly valuable in underground mines where accessing operational information in real time can be challenging. The software facilitates informed decision-making by offering insights into underground areas that are difficult to reach physically. Additionally, our software development focuses on data storage, data mining, and optimization of the entire mining process through digitization.

While the application of robotics and autonomy in mining is part of our future plans, some challenges exist in certain markets, such as limited access to narrow reef underground operations in the SADC region. Nevertheless, we are developing autonomous bulk emulsion units for surface mining, and our software development program is dedicated to process optimization through digitization, which has been accelerated by the impact of the pandemic.

What are the obstacles hindering the adoption of smart mining in South Africa?

In the SADC region, including South Africa, there is generally an abundance of mining skills due to the rich mining history. However, when it comes to digitization and automation, there may be a lack of specific skills, which is a global phenomenon. South Africa’s mining market is unique, particularly in terms of ultra-deep mining in underground operations, presenting its own set of challenges. The depth of ore bodies, for instance, poses difficulties in implementing automation and digitization technologies.

As BME celebrates its 37th anniversary in 2021, what is the company’s vision for the next three years?

Our vision for the next three years revolves around growing in the mining digitization technology sector and positioning ourselves as a valuable partner to the mining industry, optimizing productivity through our solutions. We also aim to diversify our presence across regions, commodities, and currencies, expanding our reach and impact.

Sustainability is a top priority for us, and we have strategic initiatives in place to address it. For instance, our emulsion product utilizes recycled oil, providing both financial and environmental benefits by removing used oil from the environment. Additionally, we are committed to transitioning all our plants to utilize renewable energy within the next two years, significantly reducing our carbon footprint. These efforts align with our long-term sustainability goals and our dedication to responsible mining practices.

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