Modern Mining June 2015

PLATINUM

In addition to developing a new Merensky mine, Booysendal Division intends to increase its overall PGM output significantly beyond that and will do so having acquired the Everest mine from Aquarius Platinum South Africa. The orebody lies adjacent to Booysendal and its infrastructure (primarily a concentrator and equipment) will allow Northam to ramp-up production quickly. “As an operating asset, it also provides synergies to exploit our larger Booysendal South and Central properties,” Theron observes. Everest – or Booysendal South as it is to be re-named – has the potential (with a 230 000 to 250 000 tpm concentrator) to produce 250 000 oz/a of PGMS as well. This means that by 2020 the Booysendal Division could be pro- ducing 500 000 oz/a. Following the Competition Commission’s approval, Northam will pay R400 million which places the full ownership of the prop- erty, infrastructure, equipment, plant and 30 MVA power supply at Everest in its hands. The final R50 million is payable on transfer of the mining right to Booysendal. “We are already assessing some of the equipment on site and hope within the next 18 months to be generating sufficient tonnages to validate re-starting the processing facility which includes a chrome spiral plant which operated for only a few months before it was shut down,” says Theron. Aquarius had also progressed quite far with an opencast study on the Everest property which Northam will continue evaluating as part of its organic growth strategies. 

at all times when they enter the Booysendal property. “Putting the whistle on puts us in the right safety frame of mind and enables us to alert our colleagues and co-workers to safety- compromising situations.” Theron explains that Northam selected the contract mining approach to diversify its risk. “Our contract mining adjudication pro- cess was based on certain criteria. Murray & Roberts Cementation were not necessarily the cheapest contractor, but they had – and do still have – vast experience in mechanised mining. This was critical in our decision-making pro- cess.” He adds that the two companies have established a joint relationship of openness and fairness. “When we initially started at Booysendal, our primary objective was to deliver a 160 000 oz/a UG2 mining operation and, while we are approaching this, our objectives have evolved and our expectations have grown. We will soon target a monthly production rate of plus 200 000 tonnes per month which would equate to just below 180 000 oz/a. But I believe the potential volumes from the UG2 and Merensky mines are closer to 250 000 oz/a within the next four to five years,” Theron reveals. This could increase the size of Murray & Roberts Cementation’s cur- rent contract on site. Northam Platinum is current underway with a feasibility study to determine the viability of developing and mining Booysendal’s Merensky Reef. Murray & Roberts Cementation has also been contracted to mine a bulk sample as part of the study. “We are extremely positive that this is just the start of a new mine,” says Theron.

Materials handling infrastructure on surface.

“We will soon target a monthly production rate of plus 200 000 tonnes per month which would equate to just below 180 000 oz/a.” Willie Theron, GM, Booysendal

June 2015  MODERN MINING  25