Modern Mining May 2018

MINING News

Bulk water supply secured for first phase of Platreef

TSX-listed Ivanhoe Mines has announced that a new agreement will provide local, treated water to supply most of the bulk water needed for the first phase of production at the Platreef platinum group metals, nickel, copper and gold mine now being constructed near Mokopane in South Africa’s Limpopo Province. Ivanhoe’s 64%-owned subsidiary, Ivanplats, signed a memoran- dum of agreement on 3 May, 2018 with the Mogalakwena Local Municipality for the supply of a minimum of 5 Mℓ of treated water a day for 32 years, beginning in 2022, from Mokopane’s new Masodi Treatment Works. Ivanplats expects to begin receiving a small quantity of processed wastewater this year after the Masodi plant has been commissioned. Further treatment will be conducted at the Platreef mine’s on-site fil- tration plant to ensure compliance with Ivanplats’ quality standards. The initial supply will be used in Platreef’s ongoing underground mine development, including drilling and surface infrastructure construction. Robert Friedland, Ivanhoe’s Executive Chairman, said the agree- ment is an important milestone in Platreef’s development.“Our ability to re-use this assured supply of extensively upgraded wastewater that can be produced by the modern Masodi plant from flows it receives from local households and offices is a cost-effective and sustainable approach. Similar, industrial-quality water has long been used in some mining operations. “Masodi will provide most of the water we need to process our ore and, at the same time, help to minimise Platreef’s environmental foot- print. Our commitment to effectively manage environmental impacts of our operations is central to Ivanhoe’s undertaking to build some of the ‘greenest’mines in the world.” Dr Patricia Makhesha, Ivanplats’ MD, added: “We are on course to develop Platreef into South Africa’s next great platinum group metals mine, while ensuring that we do it in a way that is environmentally responsible and resource efficient. Our water-supply partnership with Mogalakwena is an important step toward our goal of achieving a bal- ance of economic prosperity, environmental stewardship and social responsibility.” In July 2017, Ivanplats published its independent, definitive fea- sibility study for the first phase, 4 Mt/a development of the Platreef mine. Processing of ore at the mine is projected to begin in 2022. Ivanplats estimates that it will require approximately 7,5 Mℓ/day of bulk water during the first phase of steady-state production. A water- balance model developed for the mine calls for the bulk water for the first phase of production to consist of 5 Mℓ/day from the Masodi treatment plant, with the balance provided from ground water from local, licensed boreholes and rainwater collected in storage ponds at the mine. Ivanplats continues to make good progress at Platreef. Sinking of Shaft 1 reached a depth of 750 m below surface on 23 April, 2018. Development has begun of the second of four planned shaft stations – the 750-metre-level substation. Surface construction for Platreef’s Shaft 2 is progressing. Blasting and excavation of a boxcut to a depth of approximately 29 m below surface is underway and construction of a concrete hitch for the head- frame is expected to be completed by the end of this year. 

May 2018  MODERN MINING  19