Braemore Resources is considering building a new 10MW platinum group metals (pgms) smelter on the western limb of the Bushveld complex.

Should the proposal be deemed feasible, the smelter would be commissioned in mid-2009.

News of the plan comes as Braemore announced its first production of continuous smelting at Mintek's 3MW smelter in Johannesburg.

It said that the smelter has yielded 18 tonnes of alloy with a projected pgm content of 353 oz between September 28th and October 7th.

Braemore's subsidiary Independence Platinum inked an exclusive deal in August 2006 to allow it to exploit and develop Minkek's ConRoast technology.

The process has been touted as a potential breakthrough, with its manufacturers claiming it will be able to process the ordinarily problematic chrome content in UG2 pgm ore.

A statement from Braemore said: "This successful start to the smelting operations has been noticed in the pgm industry with a marked increase in enquiries from emerging and existing producers for discussions regarding the ongoing supply of concentrates."

Source:

Braemore may build western limb PGM smelter using Mintek technology, 16/10/07

http://www.miningweekly.co.za/article.php?a_id=119190

Braemore Resources says PGM production started at Conroast smelting programme, 16/10/07

http://www.hemscott.com/news/latest-news/item.do?newsId=51178830817992

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