In 2019, Natal Portland Cement (NPC-InterCement) and the Artisan Training Institute celebrated a successful 10-year partnership that has trained more than 1 000 apprentice learners qualifying in the engineering trades in KwaZulu Natal.

A state-of-the-art smart blasting system was officially handed over to the Wits Mining Institute (WMI) recently by electronic blast initiation specialist, DetNet.

Surface mining association, Aspasa, is calling for industry input to assist in the compilation of a specialised leadership training course to be delivered in 2020.

By Joe Keenan, chief executive officer, BME

The minerals sector must juggle furiously to attract its share of global investment.  It must earn its social licence in challenging markets while chasing new mineral prospects in unfamiliar regions. At the same time, it must move boldly to harness the efficiencies offered by fast-developing technologies.

Pioneering beyond its manufacture and supply of cold emulsion explosives, BME has become a home-grown South African success story now exporting blasting technology to mining countries worldwide.