BCM Group has established itself as one of the most experienced surface mining and civil earthworks contractors in Africa. We talk about ongoing operations, employee training, local procurement, and more with CEO, Paul Coe.
SPECIALIST CONTRACTOR
Africa is home to vast reserves, including gold, diamonds, cobalt, copper, and platinum, making it a crucial global mining player.
Increasing demand for these minerals and metals is driving significant growth in the continent’s mining sector, with many African countries also heavily investing in infrastructure and regularly making new discoveries, presenting opportunities for development.
However, it also comes with unique challenges and requires careful navigation of geopolitical complexities, such as social and environmental factors, infrastructure constraints, regulatory frameworks, and social responsibilities.
“I believe my experience and expertise can help navigate these complexities in Africa’s mining industry, which is at an inflexion point,” opens Paul Coe, CEO of leading surface mining contractor and civil earthworks company, BCM Group (BCM).
Indeed, Coe is well-equipped to lead within the mining industry having held a number of senior management roles prior to his current position at BCM, whose headquarters is in Ghana and current projects are in West Africa as well as the Middle East.
BCM has operated for almost a century and in Africa since 1990, where the company has firmly established itself as a reliable, experienced mining contractor.
“We have expanded our presence by serving a diverse client base throughout West Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East,” Coe tells us.
ONGOING OPERATIONS
BCM’s ongoing operations include the Tarkwa (Ghana), Tonkolili, (Sierra Leone), Agbaou (Ivory Coast), and Attarat (Jordan) projects.
Attarat and Tarkwa are both long-term open pit mining contracts for oil shale and gold, respectively, that include load and haul, drill and blast, and crusher feed services.
The former has a significant estimated production volume of 2.3 million cubic metres per month (cbm/mo), almost double the estimated volume of Tarkwa (1.2 million cbm/mo).
At Tonkolili (600,000 cbm/mo), meanwhile, BCM has been contracted to perform a number of open pit iron ore mining services and construct 10 kilometres (km) of haul road to a new satellite pit.
Similarly, the company is providing various open pit gold mining services and constructing a tailings storage dam wall lift at Agbaou (200,000 cbm/mo).
Alongside its ongoing operations, BCM has completed the Tri-K gold project in Guinea, which included the construction of the tailings storage facility, water storage dam, and flood protection infrastructure.
The complete scope of work also consists of load and haul, spread and compact, concrete works, as well as pipework and high-density polyethylene pipe (HDPE) liner installations.
“Production volume at the Tri-K gold project is estimated at 200,000 cubic metres (cbm) per month,” details Coe.
As one of the largest contractors in Africa, the company has strategically expanded its operations across the continent by entering new markets and increasing its presence in existing ones.
This growth enables BCM to better serve its clients, tap into new opportunities, and contribute to local economies.
“We are committed to responsible expansion, prioritising local partnerships, and community engagement,” Coe emphasises.
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
The 2,000+ employees at BCM are dedicated to delivering exceptional services, prioritising safety, and fostering local partnerships while providing mining solutions to clients across the African continent.
“We have an excellent team of dedicated and experienced employees, with senior management based in Accra and well-developed systems for remote site support,” he adds.
The extensive technical expertise of BCM’s team spans the entire value chain, from exploration to mine closure.
“With expertise in surface mining and civil earthmoving, we craft customised solutions that address the distinct requirements of each client,” informs Coe.
“Our deep understanding of African mining dynamics ensures that we are able to engage at all the required levels to deliver mining production on target and within required timelines.”
BCM has invested heavily in training and developing local talent in West Africa’s mining industry with programmes focused on technical skills, safety, and leadership development, empowering individuals to drive growth and success in their careers.
The company has trained numerous personnel, with many now holding key positions in the industry.
“We currently employ less than 10 First World country expatriates, 60 Third World country expatriates, over 1,800 national employees in Africa, and 200 national employees in Jordan,” Coe confirms.
There is also an excellent spread of capable, qualified, and experienced senior management expertise at BCM.
Several core expatriate employees have covered the breadth of operational, technical, and administrative levels for over three decades, whilst many senior personnel have worked for BCM for 10+ years, bringing a mature and professional approach to the work they do.
“Their experience represents a significant operational asset pool, which has been nurtured and developed over the lifetime of the company,” outlines Coe.
BCM takes training very seriously, as this ultimately helps to achieve target production in a safe, efficient manner and lifts the skill levels of individual workers.
“We have trained many previously unskilled people from villages and towns in the areas near the project sites to high levels of competency, including plant operators, supervisors, and administration and maintenance personnel.”
“Our deep understanding of African mining dynamics ensures that we are able to engage at all the required levels to deliver mining production on target and within required timelines”
Paul Coe, CEO, BCM Group
LOCAL PROCUREMENT
In addition to training its people, BCM equally prioritises local procurement, recognising the importance of supporting local economies and communities.
Diverse supply chain operations ensure the company sources goods and services from local businesses whenever possible, injecting value into the local economy.
“BCM has well-established maintenance and logistical support in place for all project sites, and we take pride in our ability to operate efficiently and cost-effectively on remote sites around the world,” Coe enthuses.
The company establishes offices at all its sites to handle local procurement, the importation of spare parts and materials, and other administrative functions.
An on-site Supply Officer coordinates procurement with the operational area office and BCM’s headquarters and logistics depot, whilst a site-based Logistics Officer deals with receiving, checking, and inspecting incoming goods and assisting with any local purchases and subcontracts.
BCM also uses its own fleet of light, flatbed, and low-bed trucks and trailers for the delivery of goods to its operational sites.
“We assume that some of the materials required for inclusion in the works would be available within the country of operation, and if cost and quality are proven acceptable, then this would be our preferred method of procurement,” Coe affirms.
“Subcontractors may be used for some portions of our contract work, depending on available competencies and skills.”
NON-NEGOTIABLES
Local procurement adds value to BCM’s services, as does its commitment to safety and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.
“Safety and ESG are paramount and non-negotiable at BCM. We have implemented robust policies, procedures, and training programmes to ensure our operations meet the highest standards,” assures Coe.
ESG guides the company’s decision-making and business practices, whilst the safety of everyone it may impact is BCM’s top priority.
“Our goal is zero accidents and incidents through the provision of training and effective leadership and management.”
Looking ahead, BCM’s priorities include breaking its own safety record – one of the best in the mining industry – of 10 million manhours free of lost time injuries (LTIs) and enhancing its corporate ESG initiatives.
The company is also prioritising the expansion of its services in the Middle East and entry into new markets such as underground mining.
“BCM is focused on delivering exceptional results, driving growth, and making a positive impact on the communities we serve. We are also targeting increased revenue from multiple potential projects and officially launching BCM Engineering, our specialised component rebuild subsidiary,” Coe concludes.
Thus, the goals of BCM are ambitious but achievable, and will drive growth, sustainability, and success for its clients and stakeholders.
