Name of the Project
Booysendal South platinum mine project.
Location
The project is situated about 35 km from Mashishing, straddling the border of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, in South Africa.
Client
Northam Platinum.
Project Description
Booysendal South will incorporate the infrastructure of Aquarius Platinum’s former Everest mine, which Northam acquired in June 2015.
Infrastructure includes a 250 000 t/m concentrator, underground access and equipment, as well as tailings storage.
The proposed project has been divided into two upper group two, bord-and-pillar mining modules – Booysendal South 1 and Booysendal South 2 – which will be accessed from a single portal complex, reducing its environmental impact and capital requirements; and a Merensky reef mine similar to that at Booysendal North.
Northam will install an aerial wheel-on-rope conveyor system, known as Ropecon, to deliver ore from the central portal complex to a concentrator 4.9 km away.
Steady-state production is estimated at 260 000 t/m.
Jobs to be Created
Not stated.
Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.
Value
The project has a capital allocation of R4.2-billion over a six-year period.
Duration
The project is expected to reach steady state in 2022.
Latest Developments
Doppelmayr Transport Technology is working on the engineering and design of the wheel-on-rope conveyor system.
Northam is also conducting an early works programme for Booysendal South, for which the access road design has been completed. Temporary power and water supply have been provided for construction purposes. It is also preparing the environmental permits for the rest of the work.
Key Contracts and Suppliers
Doppelmayr Transport Technology (wheel-on-rope conveyor system).
On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.
Contact Details for Project Information
North Platinum media and investor relations, René Rautenbach, tel +27 11 759 6000, fax +27 11 325 4795 or email Rene.Rautenbach@norplats.co.za.