The mining industry’s alignment with global sustainability goals was under the spotlight at CIM Connect 2025 in Montreal in May, with BME Mining Canada attracting considerable attention in its debut appearance among over 600 companies exhibiting at this year’s popular industry event.
Hosted by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), the conference and expo draws thousands of visitors globally – with around 270 technical papers presented. The theme this year was ‘Minerals, Innovation and the Energy Transition’. According to Neil Alberts, General Manager at BME North America, the busy event highlighted just how far the mining sector had progressed in its sustainability approach – and how much potential there was for the future.
“The theme of the CIM Connect 2025 pinpointed a vital focus in the mining industry,” said Alberts. “What came through strongly in the theme and the presentations was that enabling the energy transition was not just government’s role but that of mine operators and their technology partners and suppliers.”
Culture of engagement
He emphasised the need for fostering a culture of engagement around sustainability, especially as it affected communities and key natural resources like water. Stronger partnerships are required with community stakeholders, based on efforts by mining industry players to mine responsibly to meet the energy transition’s demand for critical minerals.
“Speakers on mining best practice highlighted how the sector is using technology – including digital tools and artificial intelligence – to meet both production and sustainability targets,” he explained. “It was also acknowledged that mining is sometimes a slow adopter of available technology, and the role that service providers and supply partners could play in helping accelerate this rate of adoption.”
Alberts noted that the ideas and possibilities discussed in the conference sessions quickly found their way to the expo floor, where visitors were on the look-out for practical tools and strategies to pursue the sustainability agenda.
Strong interest
“The level of engagement at our exhibition booth was incredible, with visits from senior executives through to operational professionals – representing potential customers, future partners and even competitors,” said Alberts.
Of particular interest was BME Mining Canada’s Hydrogen Peroxide Emulsion (HPE) offering, developed by Hypex Bio. As a sustainable explosives solution, HPE represents a significant step forward in delivering enhanced environmental benefits compared to conventional emulsion products.
“Visitors engaged with us on how our Hypex Bio solutions help mines drive their performance in terms of energy transition, critical minerals and engagements with communities and indigenous groups,” he said.
Demonstrating AXXIS
Tom Dermody, International Technology and Field Services Manager at BME, was also at the BME Mining Canada booth and commented on visitors’ enthusiastic response to the company’s offerings.
“As one of only four global blasting and explosives companies exhibiting at CIM Connect this year, it was a great opportunity to meet the industry and engage with delegates on how BME Mining Canada is helping to drive mining’s performance and sustainability imperatives,” said Dermody.
He emphasised the interest that BME’s flagship electronic detonation system AXXIS had raised at the event, particularly its robust features, ease of use, and its ability to facilitate more energy-efficient comminution through quality blasting and fragmentation. Such was the level of engagement that Dermody conducted over a dozen hour-long practical demonstration sessions on AXXIS during the two and a half day expo.
Canadian facilities
“While there was great appreciation of our solutions and services, visitors were also pleased to know that BME Mining Canada had a local manufacturing base in Sudbury – showing that we are invested in the local industry and committed to our role here,” he explained. “This makes it easier for customers to adopt new technologies and systems, knowing that there is local support and a secure supply chain.”
Alberts highlighted the logistical, distribution, costing and pricing benefits of BME Mining Canada’s Sudbury facility – currently producing BME’s Viperdet detonators and emulsion explosives, with plans underway to also manufacture hydrogen peroxide emulsion, in partnership with Hypex Bio.
“CIM Connect was a great forum to show stakeholders not only how we have invested in manufacturing assets for our Canadian operation, but also the proven quality of the equipment and explosives that those facilities produce,” he said. “We were able to communicate the world-class status of these offerings, and the vital technical services through which we support customers.”
