BME 2026 Technical Summit to place connected mining under the spotlight
BME, a division of the Omnia Group, will once again host its Technical Summit on 28 October 2026 at the CSIR in Pretoria, under the theme “Connected Mining: Turning Intelligence into Impact”. The Summit will examine how mining companies can move beyond simply adopting more technology by connecting systems, data, people and processes in ways that deliver measurable operational results.
Seelan Gobalsamy, Chief Executive Officer of the Omnia Group, will set the broader strategic context by addressing global market themes and the resulting volatility and disruption. He will explain how strong and diversified strategic positioning, together with supply continuity and product reliability, are becoming critical differentiators that mining companies prioritise in their value chains. His perspective outlines these external pressures as the structural backdrop that makes the shift to connected mining both an operational opportunity and a business imperative.
Ralf Hennecke, Managing Director of BME, said the Summit will be framed around the industry pressures and opportunities driving this shift towards connected mining. As mining operations generate growing volumes of data and gain access to increasingly sophisticated digital technologies, he says the challenge is no longer simply what technology can do. “The real opportunity lies in how different technologies and systems can work together effectively, how intelligence can inform decision-making, and how these capabilities can translate into improved productivity, resilience and performance,” he said.
This thinking will run through the Summit programme, which will bring together mining leaders, technology specialists, OEMs and regulators to explore the practical application of connected mining. “The focus is firmly on moving from what is possible to what is delivering measurable value today – and from innovation and technology towards integration, execution and tangible performance gains,” he said.
Connected systems for measurable operational results
Nishen Hariparsad, General Manager: Technology and Marketing at BME, said the programme will examine this transition from a range of perspectives. “The presentations will span intelligent mining ecosystems, AI adoption, predictive analytics, system interoperability, real-time operational visibility, drill-to-blast-to-plant integration, precision mining, mine-to-mill optimisation and operational resilience,” he said.
The strategic implications of greater connectivity will be explored by Mzila Mthenjane, CEO of the Minerals Council South Africa, who will examine how integration across mining systems, infrastructure and stakeholders can strengthen African mining’s competitiveness, productivity and resilience. His session will consider how moving beyond fragmented approaches can create more connected operations, where infrastructure, technology, people and processes work together to unlock sustainable performance.
This strategic perspective will be complemented by Valter Adão, Chief Executive Officer and Digital Leader at Cadena Growth Partners, who will examine the development of intelligent mining ecosystems, the integration of AI into operations and connected decision-making. Valter specialises in disruptive innovation, business modernisation, emerging digital technologies and the commercialisation of high-growth businesses across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The practical potential of these technologies will come into sharper focus through Ravi Sahu, CEO of Strayos, whose session will focus on AI applications, predictive analytics and turning operational data into measurable value. Sahu founded Strayos to address data silos in mining and quarrying, with the platform integrating drone, satellite, GPS and IoT data. The session will highlight how connected data is supporting smarter blast design and operational optimisation.
Drill-to-plant connectivity
Hariparsad said that the question of how to overcome disconnected systems will then be tackled in the panel discussion, Breaking Mining Silos Through Connected Systems. “Bringing together perspectives from Mining3, GB Keyser Mining Consultants, and R.A. McClure Inc., the panel will address system interoperability, real-time operational visibility, the connection of drill, blast and plant systems, and the challenge of scaling digital mining solutions,” he said.
BME will conclude this progression from concept to application through Hariparsad’s presentation, Connected Mining in Practice: Drill to Plant Integration. “The session will demonstrate the integration of AXXIS™ and XPLOSMART™, focusing on real-time operational optimisation and the customer outcomes and case studies demonstrating the value of this connected approach,” he said.
Innovation improves decisions and outcomes
Hennecke said the Summit reflects a broader approach to technology. “Innovation creates value when it is integrated into mining operations and used to improve decisions and outcomes,” he said.
The Summit will ultimately reinforce the central principle behind its 2026 theme: connected mining integrates systems, people, supply chains and partnerships to deliver measurable operational impact. For an industry under continued pressure to improve productivity, resilience and performance while navigating increasingly complex operating environments, the distinction is critical. “The challenge is to ensure that intelligence is connected, integrated and translated into results,” he concluded.
