Modern Mining January 2018

PLATINUM

the future Booysendal (North and South) op- eration to 500 000 oz/a. Combined with output from its opera- tions at Zondereinde (350 000 oz) and Eland (150 000 oz), this promises to take the group into the big league with targeted production of almost 1 Moz/a within the next few years. As importantly, Booysendal South’s eco- nomics will help bring Northam down the cost curve as it grows. The mine also has enviable longevity with a currently estimated mine life of over 25 years. Its low-cost profile fits well into the company’s strategy, which will not abide laggards; cross-subsidisation is not in its policy, so each mine must be profitable throughout the commodity cycle. The project’s origins date back to Northam’s purchase of the nearby Everest mine from Aquarius Platinum in 2015 – an acquisi- tion that included the mining right, the 250 000-tonne-per-month concentrator plant for platinum group metals and chrome, the tailings storage facility (TSF), workshops and offices, and existing infrastructure such as power and water supplies. This infrastructure will be utilised by the new project, as well as Everest’s underground access to the future planned Booysendal South 3 and 4 modules. With access to both UG2 and Merensky reef, the mine will operate as a swing pro- ducer – with production flexibility to respond to favourable turns in market demand. The mine design is based on that of its sister opera- tion at Booysendal North, and will comprise two UG2 bord-and-pillar mining modules accessed via a single portal system – as well as a Merensky module. Mechanised mining

Base of the ore silo at Booysendal South – the silo will have a storage capacity of 4 000 tonnes and will feed ore on the aerial RopeCon system to the Booysendal South mills.

Treading lightly In the light of the environmental sensitivity of the area in which the Booysendal South project is located, Northam has set aside an offset area for conservation and biodiversity purposes. The Dwarsrivier Valley landscape includes forests, small wetlands, seepages and grasslands – while certain protected mammals and species of fish have also been recognised as endemic to this habitat. To facilitate long-term funding for envi- ronmental protection, the Buttonshope Conservancy Trust was formed to fund Booysendal’s conservation, offset manage- ment and expansion. Inspections of alien vegetation are conducted monthly, and veg- etation is removed as required. 

Overview view of the surface infrastructure at Northam’s flagship Booysendal North mine – the mechanised North mine provides the blueprint for the establishment of the South expansion project.

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January 2018  MODERN MINING  63