JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – JSE- and TSX-listed platinum junior Anooraq Resources has completed the R118-million upgrade of its concentrator plant at the Bokoni mine, in South Africa’s Limpopo province.

The plant upgrade increases the milling capacity at Bokoni to 165 000 t/m, the miner reported on Tuesday.

The concentrator plant would now be able to accommodate Anooraq’s first phase production expansion plan of 160 000 t/m by 2014.

The project included an upgrade on the main stream pumps to accommodate additional production throughput, the introduction of cyclone clusters for more efficient classification and an upgrade to the Merensky concentrator primary mill from an autogenous grinding mill to a semi-autogenous grinding mill to assist with grind of run-of-mine ore.

“We remain focused on turning the Bokoni mine into a profitable and sustainable operation. Increased production throughput going forward is a key ingredient for our success at the mine, both on the production and costs sides of the equation,” said Anooraq CEO Philip Kotze.

Last year, Anooraq acquired an effective 51% holding in the Bokoni mine (formerly known as Lebowa) from Anglo Platinum, and a further 1% controlling interest in the Boikgantsho, Ga-Phasha, and Kwanda projects.

As a result, Anooraq controls the third-largest platinum group metals resource base in South Africa.

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