Tag Archives: Hypex Bio

Omnia Holdings’ mining business underpins improved financial results

Explosives and blasting, Mining finance, Mining services, , , ,

Omnia Holdings boosted both revenue and profit in its six-month reporting period ending September 30, 2024, with sustained robust growth in its mining segment being a key driver of this positive momentum.

The group reported a 5% year-on-year boost in revenue to R10.9 billion ($614 million) in the six-month period, alongside a 17% improvement in operating profit to R802 million.

On mining specifically – which, for Omnia, entails its BME business and the explosives, related accessories and blasting services offering – the company said: “The mining segment continued to demonstrate strong growth and robust performance. This growth was achieved through a combination of new and extended contracts, increased ammonia derivative sales, and new contract wins. Revenue increased by 15% to R4.7 billion while operating profit grew by 18% to R535 million. The segment effectively navigated global macroeconomic challenges and supply chain constraints to ensure uninterrupted supply to customers.”

The growth outlook for the group remains positive with solid traction gained in the reporting period, it noted.

The construction of an additional ammonium nitrate storage in Sasolburg will double storage capacity, further increasing supply chain flexibility and enabling consistent supply to customers.

The mining segment increased its momentum in its expansion efforts. Contract extensions and organic growth in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, as well as new contracts in Namibia, enhanced volumes in this core market.

In Indonesia three new contracts were successfully secured, signalling further growth in the region. While, in Canada, BME commissioned its non-electronic detonator manufacturing facility and the electric detonator manufacturing production line is due to be commissioned in the September quarter of 2025.

In the company’s 2026 financial year to September 30, 2026, BME in partnership with Hypex Bio, is set to launch a first of its kind nitrate free explosives to the Canadian market.

In 2023, Omnia announced a strategic partnership with Sweden-based Hypex Bio Explosives Technology and the acquisition of a minority equity stake in the company, looking to bring Hypex Bio’s ground-breaking emulsion, using hydrogen peroxide, offering to its customers.

In Australia, BME has commenced the building of its largest Mobile Manufacturing Units (MMU) with the first of these units expected to arrive towards the end of the 2025 financial year. Additionally, cold commissioning of Western Australia’s first electronic detonator plant has begun with production anticipated in the September quarter of 2025.

Boliden, Hypex Bio inaugurate Sweden’s first nitrate-free explosives facility

Environmental, Explosives and blasting, Mining consumables, Mining services, , , ,

Boliden has announced the introduction of nitrate-free, low-carbon explosive, developed through a collaboration between the mining company and Hypex Bio Explosives Technology.

This new technology not only reduces the mining industry’s CO2 footprint but also eliminates nitrogen pollution in soil and water, setting a new standard for sustainable blasting, Boliden says.

Hypex Bio’s patented explosive is a major innovation in commercial blasting – one of the most significant advancements since Alfred Nobel’s invention of dynamite over 150 years ago, the miner claims.

Back in March, Boliden announced it had become the first mining operator to sign an agreement for the production and delivery of a newly developed explosive from Hypex Bio with significantly improved environmental and climate performance. In the process, the company’s need for nitrogen treatment of water is being reduced and its climate performance is improving by around 400 t of CO2 per year, it explained.

On September 16, Boliden and Hypex Bio officially inaugurated Sweden’s first facility for manufacturing nitrate-free, climate-friendly explosives at the Kankberg mine outside Boliden.

This facility represents a new standard for the next generation of explosives, thanks to a successful partnership between the two Swedish companies committed to driving the future of sustainable and climate-resilient mining, both locally and globally.

“With a production capacity of 270 t per week, this explosive already exceeds Boliden’s current operational needs, marking a major leap in the green transition of mining operations,” Boliden says. “As we continue striving to become the world’s most climate-friendly metals supplier, this technology will play a vital role in reducing our environmental impact, both in Sweden and globally.”

Boliden to implement Hypex Bio climate-friendly explosives at Kankberg mine

Environmental, Explosives and blasting, Mine operation news, Sustainable mining, , , , , ,

Boliden says it has become the first mining operator to sign an agreement for the production and delivery of a newly developed explosive from Hypex Bio with significantly improved environmental and climate performance.

In the process, the company’s need for nitrogen treatment of water is being reduced and its climate performance is improving by around 400 t of CO2 per year, it says.

Peter Bergman, General Manager of the Boliden Area, said: “For us, it is important to be part of technology development in many areas and, when it is successful, we also want to be early with implementation. Together with the electrification of transport and other machines, this means another important step towards being able to conduct mining operations that are, in principle, fossil-free.”

The agreement with the Swedish explosives supplier Hypex Bio is for the production and delivery of nitrate-free and environmentally friendly explosives to Kankbergsgruvan, Boliden. Boliden and Hypex will cooperate on the production and delivery of nitrate-free and environmentally friendly explosives to the Kankberg mine, which includes the establishment of a production facility at the mine as well as a delivery and service agreement.

The supply and service agreement for Hypex’s explosives solution spans five years, starting in 2024. The production quantity is expected to amount to 400-450 t and, thus, largely meet the Kankberg mine’s annual needs. In addition to the fact that the explosive drastically reduces the need for nitrogen treatment of water, the climate impact is reduced by approximately 400 t of CO2 per year (Scope 3), Boliden added.

The collaboration between Hypex Bio and Boliden has been ongoing since 2020, where the nitrate-free explosive has been developed and tested in the Kankberg mine. The technology has proven to meet Boliden’s requirements for safety, performance, environment and reduced carbon dioxide emissions. Tests have also been carried out in the Garpenberg mine and are to be started in the Aitik copper mine, the company says.

Back in October, Omnia Holdings announced a strategic partnership with Hypex Bio and the acquisition of a minority equity stake in the company.