JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Chrome mining and minerals producer Afarak has entered into a mining services agreement with Pholagolwa Mining to undertake opencast mining at its Mecklenburg opencast mine, in Limpopo.
The mine initially started production in July 2013, but operations were halted in June 2014 amid community protests.
Afarak on Thursday said work was under way to increase the high wall to 65 m from 40 m.
“In response to the market upswing, an opportunity was identified in increasing the high wall, which will allow opencast mining and facilitate underground mining. This added production capacity allows us to reap the benefits of the current market upswing,” Afarak outgoing CEO Dr Alistair Ruiters said in a statement.
The first tonnages are expected shortly and full production of 30 000 t/m of chrome ore is expected to be reached by April. A total of 200 000 t of chrome ore will be produced.
Afarak noted that the restart of opencast mining would allow better access to the underground mining area, where development of a shaft is scheduled to start later this year.
The proposed underground development has the potential to produce 4.5-million tons of chrome ore.
“Afarak continues to consolidate its position as a lean and flexible vertically-integrated company with the capacity to respond to favourable market conditions,” said Afarak CEO-designate Guy Konsbruck.