Since 1984, we’ve worked hard to consistently raise the bar on industry, safety and environmental standards.
We partner with our customers, to provide ongoing support, sustainable solutions and services that create value across the blasting cycle, for the customer, their workforce and the broader mining community.
From our establishment, over 3 decades ago, we have championed the development of solutions that drive our customer’s safety and sustainable success and minimize environmental impact.
Our product stable is founded on innovation and offers premium blasting and explosives materials, technology, services and software across the entire value chain. We pride ourselves on our ability to cater to the full spectrum of blasting and explosives industries, from surface and underground mining to construction and demolition.
Our goal is to ensure that our customers are always equipped to keep their team safe, their communities happy and reduce their carbon footprint. BME connects over three decades of experience with extensive expertise, to serve big and small players across industries and continents.
BME’s global footprint extends to 21 countries and 6 continents and includes a vast network of manufacturing, innovation and product development facilities.
We maintain strategic partnerships around the world to ensure availability of scarce materials, leverage unique product expertise and offer trusted advice to help our customers optimise their businesses, workers, broader communities and the environment.
2022
BME’s used-oil initiative awarded ‘Responsible Care Initiative of the Year’ (Category A) by the Chemical and Allied Industries’ Association (CAIA)
2021
BME launched their integrated software portfolio – Blast Alliance.
2020
BME named winner of the CAIA Sustained High Performance Award 2020 (Category B)
2019
Finalise joint venture with Indonesian partner – expanding our global footprint.
2018
Expansion into North and South America.
Xplolog is commissioned at a large open cast copper mine to gather blasting information in the field.
Launch AXXIS underground centralised blasting system – allowing underground mining operations to initiate blasts from a safe and convenient place on surface.
World-record blast of 7350 AXXIS electronic detonators fired at an Australian coal-mine.
2017
Two automated lines are commissioned for AXXIS detonators.
Another world-record blast of 6690 AXXIS electronic detonators is fired at a Zambian copper mine.
2016
BME Australia is awarded a two-year contract with a large coal-mining company.
A world-record blast of 5665 detonators is fired at an Australian coal mine.
2015
Launch first Portable Charging Unit (PCU) for use in the narrow reef environment at a platinum mine.
AXXIS second electronic generation detonator launched.
Commission a bulk emulsion vertical drop at 318 m at a gold min—a world-first.
2014
BME celebrates being in business for 30 years.
BME enters the Australian market with the sale of AXXIS electronic detonators in Australia.
2013
BME‘s twelfth emulsion plant is commissioned.
The narrow reef emulsion system is launched, bringing the benefits of emulsion blasting to narrow reef operations.
2012
Omnia’s patented PGAN (Porous Granular Ammonium Nitrate) plant is commissioned, using raw materials from Omnia’s nitric acid and ammonium nitrate facilities to supply the Southern African market.
A second Nitric Acid Complex is launched in Sasolburg, boosting South Africa’s nitric acid output by 330 000 tons a year, bringing the country’s capacity to about 1,4 million tons a year. This ensures supply security for BME customers.
Develop new generation of blasting software,
Blastmap, an advanced blast and timing design software package.
2010
Receive approval for accreditation as a Training Provider with the Mining Qualification Authority, leading to the offering of their Rock-breaking qualification.
First new generation AXXIS electronic detonator blasts successfully fired.
2009
A second plant is commissioned in Mauritania.
An emulsion plant is established in Zambia
A modern shock tube assembly plant with testing facilities.
A used-oil collection division is established to compliment the introduction of used oil in emulsions.
2008
A third plant is commissioned in Mali.
An emulsion plant is commissioned in Senegal.
2006
BME launches its new logo and branding.
2005
A third emulsion plant in Mauritania.
A second emulsion plant in Mali.
2004
A second bulk emulsion facility is commissioned at Losburg.
2003
The acquisition of a French electronic detonator company opens the door for BME to enter the sophisticated detonator market.
2000
BME‘s first plant in West Africa is commissioned in Mali.
The first international emulsion plant in East Africa is established in Tanzania.
1998
BME starts operating in Tanzania—the first BME client outside South Africa.
The first working uphole emulsion project is commissioned at PMS Phalaborwa.
1995
Blastinfo, BME‘s technical consulting division, is established to provide advanced technical support to its clients.
1994
The Megamite plant is built and commissioned to supply cartridge explosive products for underground operations.
1992
BME diversifies into underground explosives and accessories.
1991
BME takes over the full supply of bulk explosives products to Optimum Colliery, positioning BME as a major supplier of bulk explosives to South African surface mines.
BME‘s explosives product range is expanded with the establishment of the ANFO manufacturing and bagging plant near Rustenburg.
Omnia establishes a porous prill ammonium nitrate facility at Sasolburg.
1988
First emulsion truck built.
1987
First heavy ANFO truck built.
Dryden emulsion plant commissioned.
Omnia acquires BME from MSI to diversify into the mining explosives market.
1985
Introduce used oil (supplied by Sishen Iron Ore mine) into manufacturing of HEF emulsions, for huge environmental benefits.
1984
MSI (Mining Services International) USA, a business based on cold emulsion technology, establishes BME in South Africa, for the supply of bulk explosives to Sishen.