SUSTAINABILITY
BME Metallurgy drives green chemistry for sustainable mining Environmentally responsible chemical practices demand an integrated approach from mines, across the mining value chain, with hydrometallurgy included, according to Daniel Verwey, Business Development Manager at Omnia Holdings company BME Metallurgy.
V erwey said mining companies are metal recovery and explosives. These efforts are also being driven by stricter legal regulations, in addition to demands by shareholders for mines to operate in a more environmentally sustainable manner. “In response, BME Metallurgy works alongside these customers to explore safer, more sustainable approaches that reduce environmental risk and waste – while also boosting mines’ productivity and efficiency,” he said. Minerals for energy transition He added that producers of minerals that are critical in promoting decarbonisation and a just energy transition, are particularly under pressure to avoid contributing to the very problems that they are trying to solve. increasingly searching for practical ways to reduce the risks associated with chemicals in applications, such as leaching, flotation, “In many ways, BME Metallurgy is a front runner in ‘green’ hydrometallurgy, which has taken our business to the next level,” Verwey said. “Building on our strong track record in safe handling and application of chemicals, we combine our agility, expertise and R&D capacity to focus on customers’ needs.” For instance, BME Metallurgy is helping clients to implement chemical circularity by recovering and recycling chemicals back into the system.
Nanofiltration “We are deploying nanofiltration technology to help mines successfully recover and recycle reagents such as sulphuric and hydrochloric acid, as well as caustic soda,” he explained. This approach has halved total reagent demand while also saving on the cost of chemical neutralisation – for safer and more responsible transportation of chemicals and waste disposal. Verwey said that these interventions show how BME Metallurgy had firmly entrenched sustainability into its business model. “While we may be selling significantly less reagents to mines, we have made a substantial contribution to our clients’ long-term sustainability,” he explained. “In this way, we enhance our brand by building trust and longstanding relationships, while also fostering closer collaboration for continued innovation.” Replacement of hazardous products with greener alternatives An example of one of the company’s chemical circularity projects is the replacement of environmentally hazardous products with environmentally friendly alternatives resulting in cleaner production. Verwey said that BME Metallurgy had also made strides in replacing pyrolusite with hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant in uranium acid leaching circuits. “Hydrogen peroxide is a potent and effective
Daniel Verwey, Business Development Manager at Omnia Holdings company BME Metallurgy.
52 MODERN MINING www.modernminingmagazine.co.za | February 2026
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