Name of the Project
Eland mine complex.

Location
Brits, in South Africa’s North West province.

Project Owner/s
Northam Platinum.

Project Description
Northam acquired the Eland mine for R175-million in 2017. It comprises two decline systems accessing three underground mining levels, together with surface support infrastructure. This includes a concentrator with a nameplate capacity of 250 000 t a month, a chrome spiral recovery plant, a tailings storage facility and a mining fleet of more than 100 vehicles. Eland hosts a shallow, upper group two orebody containing 19.3-million ounces of platinum, palladium rhodium and gold, or 4E, of which rhodium comprises two-million ounces, at an average in situ grade of 3.95 g/t.

The mine had been on care and maintenance since 2015. Operations were restarted in 2019 following the conclusion of a feasibility study. This comprised the development of the underground mine on a hybrid array of conventional breast stoping and mechanised ore transport using hydropower technology imported from Northam’s Zondereinde mine. Ramp-up to steady-state production levels of 180 000 oz/y of 4E is scheduled to take six years.

Reprocessing of surface ore through the recommissioned secondary circuit of the concentrator, producing platinum-group metals, and chrome concentrates, is being undertaken in parallel with underground mine development.

Potential Job Creation
At steady state, the mine will provide direct, meaningful, long-term employment for more than 2 500 people.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
Capital expenditure is estimated at R4.3-billion over a five-year period. To date, R1.1-billion has been spent. The project will be fully funded from Northam’s resources.

Planned Start/End Date
Mine development started in 2020. Production is forecast to reach 100 000 oz/y of 4E in the 2024 financial year and increase to 180 000 oz by the 2028 financial year.

Latest developments
Decline and strike tunnel development is progressing. A first stope has been established as part of a planned early mining demonstration.

Mining build-up was temporarily suspended following the onset of Covid-19. The full capital programme of stoping build-up has now been reinstated.

An agreement to buy the neighbouring Maroelabult mine from Eastern Platinum was entered into during the 2020 financial year. An application to transfer the mining rights is in progress and is expected to be finalised during this financial year. Maroelabult is situated west of the Kukama shaft and its addition to the Eland mining right will have several synergistic advantages.

Northam will update the media and investment community on the development of these projects and other business when it announces its annual results on September 30, 2021.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
R&A Strategic Communications, on behalf of Northam Platinum, tel +27 11 880 3924 or email northam@rasc.co.za.