JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – JSE-listed exploration and development company Jubilee Platinum has completed its 42 borehole drilling programme at its Tjate platinum project, in South Africa’s Bushveld Complex.

The drilling programme formed part of phase two of the feasibility study, which started in early 2008, and continued to confirm the continuity at depth of the Merensky and UG2 reefs.

“The lower grades seen in some of the new borehole results correlate generally with a regional pothole within a lower grade area confined to the northwest of the farm Dsjate. The effect of this area will be considered in the options when delineating the resource and defining a resource estimate,” said Jubilee CEO Colin Bird.

“The drilling programme for the second phase of the feasibility study was completed this month, and the project is now rapidly advancing towards a definitive compliant mineral resource estimate,” he added.

The Tjate project comprised three contiguous farms, totalling 5 143 ha. The project area was downdip from platinum producers Impala Platinum’s Marula mine, and Anglo Platinum’s Twickenham mine.

To subscribe to Mining Weekly's print magazine email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or buy now.