South Africa’s BME has unveiled a new ammonium nitrate solution (ANS) storage tank at its Sasolburg site in South Africa
The company — a part of the Omnia Group, a JSE-listed diversified provider of specialised chemical products and services used in the mining and agricultural sectors — said the additional storage will strengthen overall supply chains.
In operation since January 2025, the facility can store 5,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate in solution, according to Jacques De Villiers, Omnia’s executive for manufacturing, operations & supply chain.
De Villiers said the tank allows an expanded and constant supply of ANS to BME’s Dryden and Losberg plants, as well as to the existing BME supply chain network.
“The additional storage capacity will facilitate a consistent supply from the Sasolburg site to BME, and will allow the BME sites to manage their stock levels and further improve their distribution process to clients,” he said.
“For BME, our key strategic focus is on security of supply to customers, and this additional storage system adds to the confidence that BME customers have in our supply capabilities. This investment further demonstrates Omnia’s long-term commitment to strengthening critical infrastructure that supports mining operations across southern Africa, contributing to regional economic growth and resilience.”
BME operates throughout southern Africa supplying a host of products and services to the mining sector, including chemicals and metallurgy solutions, as well as blasting solutions for explosives and detonator offerings.
The new ANS tank is installed at Omnia’s Sasolburg complex and is strategically located between two nitric acid and ammonium nitrate production facilities, allowing for future expansion within the complex.
It is controlled and monitored by an advanced distributed control system, with additional safety features incorporated into its design and operation.
In line with Omnia’s sustainability and ESG goals, the tank allows the production facilities to run at a consistent and predictable rate, which streamlines the plant’s energy efficiency.
Thermal insulation of the tank and its transfer lines reduces the energy requirement to maintain temperature stability. The pumps in the system have also been engineered to operate at their most efficient point.
Deon Swart, chief operating officer at BME, highlighted the importance that Omnia and BME place on security of supply initiatives, including their dual sourcing of ammonia through the Richards Bay Terminal and energy giant, Sasol.
“This investment in the ANS tank further bolsters supply security by reaffirming storage of the next step in the value chain,” he said. “It allows us to deliver on our commitments and ensure storage availability to weather any changes in commodity and market cycles.”
He noted that it was not only the South African market that would benefit, but also the company’s broader network across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) area.
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Mining chemicals storage boost for BME
The new ammonium nitrate solution tank at Sasolburg. (Image source: BME/Omnia)
