Northam Platinum revealed yesterday (15th June) that it could start pgm production at its Booysendal project sooner than expected.

The company made the finding after conducting an optimisation of the feasibility study, which also suggested that output could be increased with a better mining lay-out.

As a result, the setup has been changed to improve process-flow efficiency and cut emissions of harmful gases.

The exercise also saw Northam arrive at a new capital expenditure estimate of R3.6 billion, which incorporates the streamlined tonnes milled and ounces produced capabilities.

Mill throughput to the concentrator plant will rise by 25 per cent to 150,000 tonnes per month, with 187,500 run-of-mine tonnes processed through the dense media separation plant.

In light of Eskom's 20MVA power restriction, the company will acquire 5MVA of self-generated energy during the busiest times experienced by the South African state utility.

Meanwhile, Northam confirmed last week that convertor operations at the metallurgical plant of its Zondereinde division have now resumed following a shutdown in May.

Source:

Northam Platinum optimises Booysendal project (15/06/10)

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