Marikana K4 platinum group metals project, South Africa – update
Photo by Sibanye-Stillwater
Name of the Project
Marikana K4 platinum group metals (PGMs) project.
Location
North West, in South Africa.
Project Owner/s
Primary producer of platinum Sibanye-Stillwater.
Project Description
The K4 project is a tier one, low-cost, brownfield PGMs expansion project at the Marikana mine operations.
The project entails the completion of a project significantly advanced by previous owner Lonmin before it suspended operations, owing to capital constraints.
K4 will access the Merensky and upper group two (UG2) reefs to average 250 000 oz/y at steady state, with its main shaft extending down 1 332 m and its vertical shaft to a depth of 1 078 m.
Associated surface infrastructure is largely in place, with only minor refurbishments required, and K4’s concentrator plant fully operational at a nameplate capacity of 130 000 t a month of Merensky and UG2 reef.
About 11.5-million platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold (4E) PGM ounces are expected to be produced over a 50-year life-of-mine.
Potential Job Creation
4 380 jobs will be created at steady state.
More than 1 000 employees were on site as December 31, 2022, which is set to double in the next year.
Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has an estimated net present value (NPV), at a 15% discount rate, of R3-billion and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 33%, with a six-year payback using conservative project price assumptions. The NPV increases sevenfold to R21-billion and the IRR to 80%, with a four-year payback at current 2021 spot metal prices.
Capital Expenditure
R3.9-billion over eight years. Lonmin invested R4.4-billion in the project before it suspended project development.
Planned Start/End Date
Not stated.
Latest Developments
The K4 project focus is to progress from the completion of shaft infrastructure to ramping up production.
K4 produced 10 589 4E oz in the first quarter of 2024 ended March 31, 2024, compared with 2 421 4E oz in the first quarter of 2023.
Project capital expenditure for the first quarter of 2024 was R154-million.
Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.
Contact Details for Project Information
Sibanye-Stillwater senior VP: investor relations James Wellsted, tel +27 10 493 6923 or email ir@sibanyestillwater.com.
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