The solution to modern African mining challenges lies in localisation

From gold and coal to lithium and other rare earth minerals, global demand for African commodities is sharply climbing. Gold, widely regarded as a safe haven asset, saw prices increase some 14% in the first three months of 2025 alone, reaching an all-time high of over $3,000 in March. Meanwhile, global coal consumption reached an unprecedented 8.77 billion tons in 2024, and experts predict that 95%  of the world’s mined lithium will be used for battery production by 2030.

In response to this extraordinary surge in mineral demand, mines from Botswana and South Africa to Côte d’Ivoire have ramped up production, intensifying the need for efficient, effective, and compliant explosives management. But as companies expand trade across borders, a number of complex, regionally specific challenges arise, compelling companies to pursue localisation practices.

However, building or reinvigorating local industries and labour pools specialising in explosives management components and practices can be prohibitively difficult, time consuming, and expensive for most mining companies. Instead, by involving local specialists such as Mining and Energy Acuity (MEA) – a company with a footprint in various countries in Africa, and established relationships with local communities, supply chains, and regulators – mines and related industries can benefit substantially from lower logistical costs, consistent compliance, and a more stable supply.

Outsourcing explosives expertise to MEA

Established in June 2022 by two Black entrepreneurs, MEA has quickly positioned itself as a fast-growing explosives management specialist with a distinctly African ethos. Unlike multinational conglomerates operating at a distance, MEA leverages its regional networks and deep understanding of the African operational and cultural environment to better serve the continent. In the span of just 18 months, the company has been able to extend its operational reach into Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire, assisting companies in utilising regional assets.

MEA’s competitive edge lies in turnkey solutions that combine procurement, transportation, storage, on-site training, and custom blasting services. Especially notable is our team’s agility when it comes to working in remote areas. Clients in hard-to-reach sites often need quick and reliable deliveries and immediate support, which is made substantially more difficult in remote, rural environments.

A local partner that understands the area’s logistics challenges, as well as the cultural, economic, and regulatory environment in each region, is better equipped to resolve disruptions, handle compliance hurdles, and expedite licensing processes.

Leveraging local expertise

While localisation is not a new concept, it is experiencing renewed attention and advancement through the leadership of African-based service providers such as MEA.

Historically, many African mines relied on global suppliers who managed explosives from afar – often with minimal understanding of unique local dynamics. But given today’s soaring commodity prices and urgent timelines, this model frequently proves cumbersome and ineffective.

Due to the inherent complexities of managing explosives, especially across borders, any challenges can severely impact whether materials make it to the operational site on time or at all. Internationally-based service providers may be slow to respond, or lack the necessary local knowledge and relationships to quickly address the cause. Delays at ports, road closures, or sudden policy shifts can completely overturn a tightly tuned production schedule, potentially costing mines millions in lost revenue.

By entrusting explosives management responsibilities to a partner like MEA, businesses can leverage a deep reservoir of regional knowledge, practical logistics expertise, and an extensive established network of African-owned and operated businesses through local supply chains.

This approach significantly reduces the volatility associated with cross-border freight routes, complicated import regulations, and the evolving maze of local licensing laws. Additionally, local experts can readily adapt to regional changes as they happen, ensuring that compliance, safety, and delivery needs are consistently met.

Building capacity and supporting local communities

Sourcing from local suppliers and employing a predominantly African workforce ensures that the gains from mining activities ripple outward to surrounding communities. Localisation helps establish a solid foundation for worker skills development, and encourages local entrepreneurs to create supporting businesses related to downstream activities such as trucking, security, and staffing services that can thrive from this developing mining explosives ecosystem.

MEA also embeds itself in the local environment, hiring and training specialists on the ground who understand both the technical and cultural requirements of explosives management. By doing so, we lay the groundwork for more sustainable expansion that involves the larger community, and develops the local economy as a whole, which in turn further supports mining activity.

Ultimately, efficient, secure, and compliant explosives management directly influences production timelines, output capacity, and safety records – all of which investors, governments, and communities monitor keenly, with significant implications for mining companies’ bottom lines. By taking up a prominent position as a local leader in explosives management for the continent, MEA is paving the way for African mines to become more globally competitive.