BME’s renowned supply chain security has been further strengthened with the commissioning of a new storage tank for ammonium nitrate solution (ANS) by its holding company Omnia.
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”.
Sustainability and ESG goals
The new ANS tank is installed at Omnia’s Sasolburg complex and is strategically located between the two nitric acid and ammonium nitrate production – allowing for future expansion within the complex. It is controlled and monitored by an advanced distributed control system (DCS), with additional safety features incorporated into its design and operation.
