JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – JSE-listed Braemore Resources has started the restructuring of its 3,2 MW demonstration smelting facility at Mintek to further reduce its operating costs.

The 3,2 MW demonstration furnace operation would remain temporarily halted during this period while Braemore restructured the operation and focused on the construction of the hydrometallurgical refining process, it said in a statement on Thursday.

The reduced furnace throughput during this period would be offset by the company’s ability to provide an extended process offering by both smelting and refining of platinum group metal (PGM) concentrates.

Braemore said that it was in discussions regarding funding to construct and commission the hydrometallurgical refining process, designed to significantly uplift the value of the PGM product.

This would be achieved by separating the PGMs from the base metals such as nickel, copper, cobalt and iron, and therein producing a high value PGM concentrate for direct processing at PGM refineries.

"Having demonstrated the success of the furnace technology, our focus now turns to the installation of the hydrometallurgical refining plant. This broadened capability will enable Braemore to deliver a complete process offering to the PGM sector and is a key part of the commercialisation of the company’s proven technology,” said Braemore CEO Leon Coetzer.

The company reported that the furnace has successfully demonstrated the technology offering to the platinum industry and has allowed Braemore to progress with the development of the hydrometallurgical refining process.

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