JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – JSE-listed Jubilee Platinum and ASX-listed platinum company Sylvania Resources have entered into a strategic partnership to smelt the latter’s platinum-group metal (PGM) concentrates from its tailings retreatment projects that were not already tied into other contracts.

The companies said in a joint statement on Monday that the alliance provides Sylvania with access to Jubilee`s smelting experience and technology, including the ConRoast smelting technology, and allows Jubilee to benefit from Sylvania`s secondary PGM recovery experience.                                             

Jubilee’s acquisition of Braemore Resources, which owned the global rights to the ConRoast smelting and refining technology, developed by South African mineral-research body Mintek, became effective on Monday, after clearing the final regulatory hurdles at the end of last week.

The alliance between the two platinum producers would offer a total solution for processing chrome tailings and northern limb Plat Reef deposits for PGM concentrate, which was previously considered to be uneconomic.

“In entering into this alliance we are extending our demonstrated success in the secondary platinum recovery sector and have no limit to what can be provided to current producers for retreatment of current tailings stockpiles,” Sylvania CEO Terry McConnachie said in the statement.

“I am delighted we are teaming up with Sylvania. Our alliance is a logical step towards achieving the mission of total capability in the PGM industry,” Jubilee CEO Colin Bird added.

The cooperation would allow the companies to fast-track both their operations, as well as save extensive research and developments costs, the parties announced.

Sylvania has offered Jubilee first preference as smelter builder and operator for PGM concentrate from its primary PGM projects in the northern limb of the Bushveld Complex.

The ASX-listed company and Finnish company Ruukki on October 23 terminated their planned R2,9-billion merger, owing to “difficulties experienced with the implementation of the merger”, but said that they were continuing to evaluate alternative possibilities for cooperation in the PGM sector.

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