JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – ASX-listed South African-focused Nkwe Platinum reported on Wednesday that its Tabatse-Garatau project, in the Bushveld Complex of South Africa, now had a combined 44-million ounces of Joint Ore Reserves Committee (Jorc) resources.

This included an initial 4,5-million ounce measured resource at the Garatau project.

Nkwe said it was pleased with the positive results, and would continue to fast-track exploration and the bankable feasibility programme.

Further results and sampling from a 24 000-m diamond drill programme over the Garatau project has confirmed a Jorc mineral resource of 23,6-million ounces, at an average grade of 5,11 g/t, from 143-million tons. Previously, the project had a mineral resource of 18-million ounces,

To date, a total of 32 diamond drill holes, totalling 30 000 m of core, have been completed. The upgraded mineral resource was based on assays from 24 boreholes on the Merensky Reef, and 22 boreholes from the UG2 Reef.

Nkwe has also previously completed a total of 30 boreholes, totalling 20 000 m on the southern Tubatse project, which resulted in a 20,4-million ounce inferred resource. The UG2 inferred mineral resource starts from near-surface to a depth of no more than 1 100 m, while the Merensky Reef inferred mineral resource was present from surface, to a depth of no more than 700 m below surface.

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