With a successful joint venture in Canada, BME is now also established in the United States – offering its sought-after explosives product range including electronic and non-electric initiation systems and packaged explosive products. “We are confident that BME’s world-class, proven technologies will excite the USA market, especially those large USA drill and blast companies looking for a better deal and specialist service from their explosive supplier,” said BME Managing Director Joe Keenan. “We are also enthusiastic about the opportunities for partnerships, joint ventures and distribution agreements in the USA.”
With its USA office in Denver, Colorado, and explosive magazines in Utah, BME is set to service and supply across the USA. “In addition to BME’s AXXIS™ electronic initiation line, our private label arrangement with a major explosive manufacturer gives BME a complete product line in the USA,” said Keenan. BME now has capability to offer a full range of initiating systems for surface and underground applications including electronic, electric and non-electric detonators, as well as detonating cord, packaged emulsion products and cast boosters.
Importantly, its well-known AXXIS™ digital initiation system – which has been embraced all over the world – is already raising significant interest, according to Aaron Austin, General Manager Americas at BME. “Our second-generation AXXIS™ technology – the GII suite – is available to USA customers for safe, controlled and cost-effective blasts.”
He highlighted that BME could at this point add value to construction companies and quarrying operations in the USA, providing a depth of expertise, high service levels and a full product range.
The company will also launch its global online technical services and solutions platform in January 2021 – enabling explosives users in the USA to consult with experienced explosive engineering professionals, according to D. Scott Scovira, BME’s Global Manager Blasting Science.
“This service will come from BME’s in-house technical staff, and also from other recognised third-party specialists in blasting, mining and construction – with the aim of realising the best project outcomes for the client,” said Scovira. “The initial on-line consultation to discuss and scope out a blasting project will be free of charge, and the service is not limited to existing BME clients only.”
Following this consultation, the company will provide a written project plan and lump sum fee offer to execute the proposed service or solution. He said a wide variety of services are offered.
“We can provide blast fragmentation distribution prediction for surface greenfield sites, and fragmentation distribution optimisation to support mine-to-mill initiatives at established surface and underground sites,” he said. “Companies can also look to us for rock characterisation and specifications for blasting in hot or reactive ground, highwall blast design and management, or novel and disruptive blast design and mining methods.”
With its global headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa, and part of the JSE-listed Omnia Group, BME is a leading emulsion explosive and initiation systems provider to quarries, mines and the construction and demolition industry. BME’s AXXIS™ system has delivered critical ‘mega blasts’ and current and previous world records for the largest number of detonators initiated in a single blast in South Africa, Zambia and Australia.
