Drilling confirms straightforward nature of planned Waterberg mine declines
TSX- and NYSE-listed Platinum Group Metals (PTM) has completed a geotechnical drilling campaign at the Waterberg joint venture (JV) project, in South Africa’s Bushveld Complex.
The campaign started in July and consisted of 46 boreholes drilled along a centre line of two sets of twin declines and boxcut positions.
A total 5 966 m of drill core were recovered and about 2 700 m of core were geotechnically lifted from within the zone of interest.
The results of the drilling campaign confirm that the boxcut positions are in sandstone, and the central and southern declines transition from sandstone into a dolerite sill and back into sandstone before cutting into the igneous rocks of the Bushveld Complex.
As expected, the rock mass is competent, says PTM, but some support will be required for both tunnel sets, but this was expected.
The company has identified no problem areas that will require special mining methods and groundwater inflow is also not considered a risk.
Meanwhile, PTM reports that a mediation process has been agreed between the Waterberg JV company and community leaders of the Kgatlu village.
This follows litigation launched by individual appellants from local communities on and following March 5 this year, which is premised on community engagement and environmental concerns, after the JV was granted environmental authorisation for the mine in November 2020.
Meetings will be taking place later this month and next month, which will likely lead to a resolution of concerns and to a more harmonious relationship between the Waterberg JV and the local community.
PTM remains focused on advancing the palladium-dominant Waterberg project to a development and construction decision.
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