Omnia Holdings’ mining division, BME, has entered into a strategic infrastructure and product development pact with Sweden’s Hypex Bio Explosives Technology to roll out the world’s first commercially available hydrogen peroxide explosives (HPEs) across the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The partnership, which follows a successful collaborative pilot in Canada, aims to replace traditional ammonium nitrate-based explosives with a “future-fit” solution designed to meet the region’s tightening environmental and carbon mandates.
The introduction of HPEs marks a pivotal shift in the mining value chain, as these emulsions decompose into harmless water vapor and oxygen, effectively eliminating nitrate pollutants from groundwater and atmospheric emissions. According to company technical data, the technology can reduce a mine’s total greenhouse gas footprint by up to 90%. Ralf Hennecke, Managing Director of BME, emphasized that the move directly addresses the mounting pressure on the SADC mining industry to align with international trade policies and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) imperatives.
Beyond the environmental dividends, the operational efficiencies are substantial. Because HPEs do not produce toxic nitrogen oxide (NOx) fumes, underground mines can benefit from significantly reduced ventilation requirements and faster post-blast re-entry times. Manufacturing these emulsions is also less energy-intensive than traditional methods, as the process utilizes low-energy modular plants rather than the heat-heavy production cycles required for ammonium nitrate.
A media statement released by the companies underlined the transformative nature of the agreement, stating: “The partnership between Hypex Bio and BME will play a significant role in the shift to more sustainable mining in SADC, while also establishing the standard for next generation blasting in the region—essential for the sustainable industries and societies of the future.” Thomas Gustavsson, CEO of Hypex Bio, added that the development represents a “paradigm shift” for the extraction and construction sectors.
Omnia Holdings, which holds a minority equity stake in Hypex Bio, intends to use this partnership to cement its position as a global leader in green mining chemistry. As SADC continues to position itself as a critical supplier of minerals for the global energy transition, the adoption of nitrate-free blasting technology is expected to provide local miners with a competitive edge in an increasingly carbon-conscious global market.
