Northam Platinum is planning a long-term expansion of the Heraeus refinery in Port Elizabeth.

The plant refines platinum group metals (pgm) and the initial plan is to develop a central smelting facility, according to Chief Executive Officer, Glyn Lewis.

"Having a centralised facility at Northam Platinum makes a good deal of sense. We have developed the technology at Northam Platinum which allows us to upgrade the concentrate significantly," he explained.

According to miningmx.com, the initial cost of the development could reach about R1.2 million and Northam Platinum is working with junior miners and German metals refiner, Heraeus.

Meanwhile, Braemore Resources is developing pgm and nickel smelting facilities with a view to establishing a permanent refining facility in South Africa.

Mr Lewis said that there were juniors which would require smelting facilities and he was confident that there would be enough ore to round.

Sources:

Northam mulls Heraeus expansion JV, 01/01/08
http://www.miningmx.com/platinum/851822.htm

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