Aim-listed Ironveld has reported that Daemaneng Minerals has made significant strides in preparing Ironveld's joint venture dense media separation- (DMS-) grade magnetite processing facility, in Limpopo, for the upcoming operational ramp-up.

The company says key commissioning and readiness activities have been completed, including confirming the plant's power draw and procuring a new containerised Caterpillar generator, with the existing unit now designated as a backup.

The new generator, along with diesel fuel, was effectively delivered to the DMS site on November 10.

Ironveld says Daemaneng is also engaged in advanced and developing offtake discussions with several counterparties for the plant's future production.

The planned schedule leading up to the formal operational handover to Daemaneng, in its capacity as subcontractor of the plant, includes scheduled workstreams.

This includes the new generator which will be connected to the plant, followed by comprehensive mechanical and electrical inspections, including greasing, oil fill-ups and live testing of all equipment. Final manpower allocations for the operational phase will also be completed.

The focus will then shift to critical process optimisations. This includes the delivery of a 30 t screen, one excavator, one front-end loader and other supporting equipment as production ramps up in the coming weeks.

On the DMS site, the replacement of essential pipework and adjustments to the crushers, mill trommel and magnetic separation units will take place. The plant is then scheduled to begin processing stockpiled material through the circuit.

To further support operational readiness, three storage containers, which are equipped with a comprehensive suite of spare parts, maintenance equipment and tools, will also arrive on site.

The establishment of prefabricated on-site office facilities and the finalisation of product shedding procedures will complete the preparatory phase scheduled for this week.

Ironveld says this structured approach ensures all safety and compliance protocols are addressed, with relevant certificates of compliance being reviewed and documentation for high-risk activities prepared and validated.

STRUCTURED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Alongside this structured approach to safety, Ironveld says Daemaneng has appointed its human resources manager Bongiwe Nkosi as a dedicated community liaison.

Under the direct oversight of Ironveld group compliance manager Bernard Ntuli, Ironveld says, Nkosi will support initiatives related to local employment, supplier development and the procurement of services.

The company explains that Ntuli remains the official and sole point of contact for all formal communication. An introductory meeting was held on November 10 with the Lekhureng community, which is the closest in proximity to the company’s operations and was very well-received, says Ironveld.

Further meetings with other relevant communities are scheduled for the remainder of the week. Ntuli reports directly to Ironveld CEO Kris Andersson.

OPERATIONAL OVERSIGHT

Ironveld, as the appointed operator, says it retains full operational oversight and control of the DMS plant and mining operations.

This is managed through Tebogo Phetla, who acts as Ironveld's senior on-site representative, providing direct oversight and serving as the primary liaison with the Daemaneng operational team.

In this capacity, Ironveld says, Phetla is responsible for monitoring all activities, collecting and compiling operational reports from plant manager Victor Mkhaliphi and reporting these directly to Andersson.

The company says Phetla’s extensive project management experience and long-standing involvement with the project since its inception are key to this role.

Mkhaliphi, from the Daemaneng team, will be the plant manager overseeing the DMS plant operations.

Ironveld says Mkhaliphi brings extensive and directly relevant experience to this critical role.

This includes proven leadership in DMS Operation where Mkhaliphi recently led the full construction and commissioning of a large-scale 200 t an hour DMS plant.

Additionally, the company says Mkhaliphi has a demonstrated history of improving DMS plant performance, including achieving a 12% reduction in magnetite losses at a coal DMS plant and increasing diamond recovery by 7% across multiple diamond DMS plants.

The company notes that his background as a senior metallurgical engineer involved designing and reviewing DMS plants, auditing DMS units and implementing process control models to enhance efficiency.

"We are very pleased with the commitment and progress demonstrated by the Daemaneng team,” says Andersson.

Andersson notes that the project remains on schedule and in line with the company’s previously communicated milestones, noting that it is particularly encouraging that Daemaneng will be running material through the plant later this week.

Andersson says this marks a significant and tangible step forward in moving from preparation into early production.

“I am confident we can achieve our production targets, leveraging the dedicated work and support of the Ironveld team alongside Victor’s hands-on DMS expertise in both commissioning and optimising DMS plants combined with the additional experience and leadership of the wider Daemaneng team, provides us with a significant advantage as we ramp up operations.

“Overall, this phase represents a clear demonstration of the partnership’s capability to deliver results, and we are now well-positioned for continued operational progress. We look forward to providing further updates on key milestones as they are achieved."