African Review

Mining

BME’s sustainable blasting solutions for mining

BME_manufacturing_plant_Mpumalanga_South_Africa

BME's Dryden Innovex manufacturing plant outside of Delmas, Mpumalanga in South Africa (Image source: BME)

BME has outlined its commitment to sustainable mining by incorporating used oil, a hazardous waste, as an ingredient in emulsion explosives

“Through our scientifically rigorous processes, we convert a waste product into a sustainable energy source that can break ground to meet the demands of mining while also promoting environmental sustainability and socio-economic development,” said Sachin Govender, used oil manager at BME.

“Used oil is a major environmental risk. Just one litre can contaminate about a million litres of South Africa’s scarce water resources.”

By consuming up to 20% of all the country’s used oil for the production of emulsions, BME helps to effectively mitigate this risk – while also helping to uplift local communities from where it sources the used oil.

The company utilises used oil as a bioenergy fuel source that is completely consumed in the blasting process — a system it has honed and refined over three decades.

The well-developed and accurate formulations comply with safety regulations and adhere to the company’s ESG goals, said Govender.

He said that while used oil was readily available as it was a waste product, there were various grades, all containing different contaminants and components.

“Therefore, all of the used oil that we collect and process undergoes extensive verification, quality control analysis and validation at our R&D laboratory,” he said.

“The final emulsions that we produce using these technologies are also quality tested to determine their stability, shelf life and efficiency for mining.”

He confirmed that BME was also investigating viable alternatives to traditional used oil.

This would not only enable the company to further pursue greener and more sustainable sourcing, but would also increase its participation in the circular economy.

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Condra to expand agent network in Africa after Tanzania crane deal

Condra hoists and overhead crane. (Image source: Condra)

South Africa’s Condra has received a succession of recent orders for overhead cranes and other lifting equipment that will be deployed across Africa and beyond, as it moves to expand its agent reach across the continent

Among them is an unpack-and-go machine whose shipping containers will become the crane’s gantry, following a deal struck with the company’s agent in Tanzania, Lynx Supply and Services.

The design of this five-ton double-girder crane — a one-off currently under manufacture for mine maintenance — makes use of the two 12-metre delivery containers as gantry supports.

After hoist, crab, girders, end-carriages and other components have been unpacked for assembly, an installation team will position the containers exactly 9.8 metres apart, then bolt rails to their tops to form the gantry.

Lynx, which will carry out the installation and commissioning work, also placed additional orders for wheel blocks, miscellaneous spare parts and a separate 10-ton, 10-metre-span single-girder gantry crane for an unnamed mining house.

Condra’s sub-Saharan agent network also includes Integrated Engineering Services in Zambia, Integrated Engineering Services in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Namcranes in Namibia and KL Cranes in Botswana.

Management is identifying additional potential agents in Ghana, Mozambique and Kenya, the company said in an update.

Other recent orders received by Condra in sub-Saharan Africa include a 10-ton portal crane for a maintenance application in Ghana.

The design of this crane overcomes floor loading limitations by spreading the machine mass across multiple nylon-treaded wheels at the base of the portal’s supporting legs.

The Ghanaian portal machine is linked to two further crane orders from the same customer, one of them for installation in Saudi Arabia.

Condra noted that it had also received enquiries from Chile and Peru, where the company is reestablishing agency relationships adversely affected by the Coronavirus pandemic.

“Service proximity and availability must be carefully considered alongside purchase price if losses due to downtime are not to negate and even exceed the initial savings of an attractive price,” said a Condra spokesman.

“Condra has long and strong relationships with agents across sub-Saharan Africa to deliver the necessary rapid response time on service calls. Our Johannesburg spares division will deliver parts anywhere in Africa in five days or less, minimising production losses due to crane downtime. In South Africa we deliver in a maximum of 48 hours.”

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FLS strengthens Mill Liner offering with South African acquisition

FLS enhances African mill liner capacity through Pretoria-based SSRE acquisition to support mining services

Leading mining technology and service provider FLS has acquired Scott specialised Rubber & Engineering (SSRE), a Pretoria-based company known for producing heavy-duty rubber products used across multiple industries, including mineral processing

The move aligns with FLS’s CORE’26 strategy, which emphasises strategic investments to grow its services portfolio. As a global frontrunner in large grinding mill technology, FLS is focused on expanding mill liner capacity, particularly in regions where supply limitations have affected service delivery.

“This acquisition represents an important milestone in our consumables growth strategy. By introducing mid-sized regional capacity in mill liners, we are enhancing our ability to service mining customers across Africa with greater speed and reliability,” commented Alanas Kraujalis, head of consumables at FLS.

Regional expansion

SSRE’s integration into FLS will enable the local production of rubber and composite mill liners. This change transitions FLS’s mill liner supply chain from an outsourced model to one with dedicated regional capacity.

“The new facility will establish local production of rubber and composite mill liners, shifting our supply model from outsourced to dedicated capacity. This transition will improve control, responsiveness and long-term resilience. Bringing manufacturing closer to our customers enables shorter lead times, more consistent service and strengthened aftermarket support,” Kraujalis added.

The terms of the deal have not been disclosed. The acquisition will not affect FLSmidth’s financial guidance for the full year 2025.

FLS continues to support the global mining sector as a leading original equipment manufacturer (OEM), offering integrated engineering, equipment, and service solutions. Its in-depth knowledge of milling processes ensures customers receive tailored support across the entire milling circuit.

Perenti wins Mana gold mining contract

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Perenti and JV partner secure five-year underground mining deal with Endeavour Mining in Burkina Faso

Perenti, through its joint venture subsidiary Underground Mining Services Burkina Faso SARL, has secured a new five-year underground mining contract valued at A$1.1 billion (approx. US$730mn)

The contract covers expanded operations at the Siou and Wona deposits within the Mana gold mining complex, operated by SEMAFO Burkina Faso S.A., a subsidiary of Endeavour Mining plc.

Located in Burkina Faso’s highly prospective Houndé Greenstone Belt, the Mana complex includes high-grade underground operations that have been supported by African Underground Mining Services Burkina Faso SARL (AUMS) since 2018. The latest contract marks a significant expansion of Perenti’s existing scope and will be executed through Underground Mining Services (UMS), a joint venture between Perenti and local partner Dynamic Mining Supply SARL.

Under the new agreement, Perenti will provide a full suite of underground development, production, and mining support services. Operations are scheduled to commence on 1 June 2025, with capital requirements for FY25 already factored into Perenti’s guidance.

Commenting on the development, Perenti managing director and CEO, Mark Norwell, highlighted, “We are pleased to extend our long-standing relationship with Endeavour through this contract. It aligns with our strategic goals for FY25 and sets a solid foundation for growth into FY26 and beyond.”

Gabrielle Iwanow, president of contract mining at Perenti, added, “This contract underscores the strength of our partnership with Endeavour and reflects the value we continue to deliver. Working alongside our Burkinabe JV partner, Dynamic Mining Supply, we are committed to supporting local procurement, skills development, and job creation in Burkina Faso.”

AFC supports Mota-Engil Africa’s mining projects

AFC funds Mota-Engil Africa’s gold mining expansion in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali. (Image source: Africa Finance Corporation)

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), a leading provider of infrastructure solutions across the continent, has extended a €100 million (approx. US$113mn) five-year facility to Mota-Engil Africa (MEA), the regional subsidiary of the global construction powerhouse Mota-Engil Group

This facility will be used to acquire equipment, inventories, and develop site infrastructure for three new gold mining projects in Côte d’Ivoire and Mali.

The funding positions MEA to expand its operations in West Africa’s fast-growing gold sector – a vital contributor to local employment, foreign exchange inflows, and export revenue. The new contracts are expected to significantly enhance the mining landscape in both countries, which remain rich in untapped mineral reserves.

This deal marks a continuation of AFC’s long-standing partnership with Mota-Engil Africa, established in 2016. AFC has previously advised on several key infrastructure projects involving MEA, including Rwanda’s Bugesera International Airport, the US$2bn Kano-Maradi rail line in Nigeria, and Angola’s 1,289 km Lobito Corridor project, where AFC serves as financial adviser to the Lobito Atlantic Railway consortium of MEA, Trafigura, and Vecturis SA.

"This transaction underscores the strength of our decade-long relationship with Mota-Engil Africa and our shared vision to deliver sustainable economic transformation across Africa, commented Samaila Zubairu, president & CEO of Africa Finance Corporation. "Gold continues to be a vital economic driver for many African nations, and through this investment, AFC is helping to unlock long-term value—supporting export earnings, job creation, and broader industrial development of the region."

Manuel Mota, chairman of Mota-Engil Africa, stated, "Today marks a significant milestone for Mota-Engil Africa. We are proud to announce the successful closing of financing for three new mining projects, in partnership with Africa Finance Corporation. This achievement reflects not only the strength of our project portfolio but also the confidence that premier institutions like AFC place in our strategy, our capabilities, and our people."

The investment is part of AFC’s broader effort to grow its involvement in contractor financing – addressing both public and private infrastructure demands. This includes support for Angola’s 186 Metallic Bridges project by Conduril Engenharia S.A., where AFC serves as commercial financier. AFC remains committed to working closely with contractors to bridge Africa’s infrastructure gap while advancing industrialisation, sustainable development, and economic resilience continent-wide.