Name of the Project
Eland mine complex.
Location
South eastern portion of the western limb of the Bushveld Complex near Brits, in South Africa’s North West province.
Project Owner/s
Northam Platinum Holdings Limited.
Project Description
Northam acquired the Eland mine from Glencore for R175-million in 2017.
The mining complex comprises an underground mine, accessed through two decline systems, together with an openpit operation in the east of the property and all supporting surface infrastructure. This includes a concentrator with a nameplate capacity of 250 000 t a month, a chrome spiral recovery plant and a tailings storage facility comprising four independent paddocks.
Eland hosts a shallow, upper group two (UG2) orebody containing 14.3-million ounces of platinum, palladium rhodium and gold, or 4E.
The mine had been on care and maintenance since 2015. Operations were restarted in 2019, following the conclusion of a feasibility study on the Kukama project, particularly the western decline system and mining section of Eland UG2 mine. The operations 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.
Reprocessing of surface ore through the recommissioned secondary circuit of the concentrator, producing platinum-group metals (PGMs), and chrome concentrates, is being undertaken in parallel with underground mine development.
The adjacent Maroelabult mine was acquired from Barplats Mines in 2020 and the transfer of the mining right was concluded January 2022. This acquisition significantly improves operational flexibility.
Potential Job Creation
At steady state in 2028, the mine will provide direct, long-term employment for more than 2 600 people.
Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.
Capital Expenditure
Capital expenditure (capex) is estimated at R4.5-billion until 2028. R1.6-billion has been spent to date.
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 will increase to a steady state of 180 000 oz/y by the 2028 financial year.
Latest developments
Northam has reported in its in condensed reviewed interim results for the six months ended December 31, 2021, that the development of the Kukama decline system is progressing well, as has strike development to connect with the Maroelabult mine. Underground stoping ramp-up is in progress.
Openpit mining of UG2 started in the eastern portion of the mining right during the latter part of 2021. Mining will ramp up to 20 000 ore tonnes a month early in the 2023 financial year.
Capex for the 2022 financial year is expected to be R1.1-billion. Work will focus on decline and strike drive development, together with stoping ramp-up.
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.