Having completed its local electronic detonator manufacturing plant – only the second such plant in Canada – BME Mining Canada said it is forging ahead with a range of facilities to produce blasting-related offerings for the mining, quarrying and construction sectors.
According to Neil Alberts, general manager at BME Mining Canada, its development site outside Nairn Centre, Ontario, is becoming a fully integrated production complex for its blasting technology, including detonators, ammonium nitrate emulsions and nitrate-free emulsions.
“We are excited at the completion of our detonator plants, which are the first to be built locally for the past 35 years,” said Alberts. “It can produce both our Viperdet non-electric detonators, as well as our AXXIS Titanium and AXXIS Silver electronic detonators.”
These plants have been designed with redundancy to allow ramping up with growing demand. He explained that additional lines will be installed as the business grows, and we are in consultation with existing and prospective customers.
“As we have implemented our plans and communicated our progress to the market, the response has been overwhelmingly positive,” he explained. “This infrastructure will pave the way for our customers to optimize their mine-to-mill costs while reducing their supply chain risks.”
Strategically located in the heart of Canada’s mining region, the BME Mining Canada facility is well placed to make use of the extensive rail and road networks. Construction work at the site includes a dedicated rail spur and the addition of an on-ramp to the main highway.
“Our geographic position is key to building a strong and reliable supply chain close to our customers,” he said. “Within a 1,000 km radius, we can reach about 40% of Canada’s mining industry.”
BME Managing Director Ralf Hennecke emphasized that, alongside the quality of its products and services, the security of the company’s supply chain is rated as a key driver in its global expansion.
“Having built a business delivering quality outcomes to blue chip customers all over Africa, as well as in countries including Australia and Indonesia, we recognize the stringent operational demands in mining,” said Hennecke. “Combining our global experience with local expertise and infrastructure in Canada positions us well to meet and exceed the expectations of local players.”
One of the next steps is developing a bulk emulsion manufacturing plant, which will include the company’s INNOVEX emulsion plant that will be relocated from its current site near Sudbury.
Source: BME