RBPlat lifts Q1 platinum production 13% y/y

17th April 2018 By: Marleny Arnoldi - Deputy Editor Online

JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – JSE-listed Royal Bafokeng Platinum (RBPlat) achieved a 12.2% year-on-year increase in platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold (4E) platinum group metals production to 81 100 oz in the quarter ended March 31.

Total tonnes delivered to concentrators increased by 1.9% to 735 000 t, with the Bafokeng Rasimone Platinum Mine (BRPM) contributing 535 000 t and the Styldrift mine 200 000 t.

The built-up head grade for the reporting period improved by 4.2% from 3.79 g/t to 3.95 g/t.

RBPlat’s capital expenditure for the quarter increased by 61.7% year-on-year to R599.3-million, mainly as a result of increased project development and construction at the Styldrift I project.

During the quarter, the commissioning of the services shaft and overland conveyor belt from Styldrift I to the BRPM concentrating facility was completed.