A prefeasibility study on Barrick Gold's platinum group metals (pgms) project has yielded positive results and the miner is now looking to fast-track development of the mine, it has been announced.

Acting managing director of Barrick, Rob King, confirmed the extent of progress at the planned operation in an interview with Mining Weekly Online, in which he said the project is "already looking… robust".

The firm is now aiming to complete the feasibility study at the Sedibelo project by the middle of this year but has already begun to examine ways to accelerate its development, he added.

To this end, Mr King said, Barrick is exploring "a whole range of options" of the smelting facet of the project's concentrate and has already commenced talks with major producers which operate smelters in the Bushveld.

Mr King did not, however, give estimates as to the capital required to develop the operation or its projected output on the grounds that it is too early to say.

Source:

Barrick completes SA PGM prefeasibility study, may fast track project, 09/01/08
http://www.miningweekly.co.za/article.php?a_id=123970

http://www.barrick.com/

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