https://newsletter.mw.creamermedia.com
Africa|Copper|generation|Gold|mechanisation|Platinum|PROJECT|Products|Operations
Africa|Copper|generation|Gold|mechanisation|Platinum|PROJECT|Products|Operations
africa|copper|generation|gold|mechanisation|platinum|project|products|operations

Ivanhoe rapidly scaling up output at Platreef amid ‘supercycle’ for prices

Platreef mine

Platreef mine

13th January 2026

By: Marleny Arnoldi

Senior Deputy Editor Online

     

Font size: - +

TSX-listed Ivanhoe Mines says development of its Platreef mine, in South Africa, is rapidly advancing after the first production of concentrate was achieved in November last year.

The company advises that the ramp-up of the Phase 1 concentrator on site is advancing on schedule, with the first sale of concentrate having been completed.

Additionally, Shaft 3 is on track to start operating from April, which expands the mine’s hoisting capacity to five-million tonnes a year and enables the Phase 1 and Phase 2 expansions.

The company says Platreef’s Phase 2 development is also on track, which will increase production in under 24 months to about 450 000 oz of platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold.

Ivanhoe has secured a $700-million senior project finance facility for the Phase 2 expansion of the mine.

Taking into account current record metal prices, Ivanhoe aims to drastically bring forward the date for the Phase 3 expansion.

Ivanhoe co-chairperson Robert Friedland says the development comes as the world enters a new metals “supercycle” where precious and base metals are no longer optional, but essential.

The platinum group metals basket price currently exceeds $2 500/oz, while Platreef’s by-products, copper and nickel, are also enjoying high prices.

He adds that Platreef is a one-in-a-generation orebody, which will be producing precious metals for generations. The mine has 59-million ounces in the indicated category and 94-million ounces in the inferred category.

“The Platreef mine is not a typical South African precious metals mine scratching at narrow, 1-m-thick seams, it is a geological wonder.

“The flat-lying orebody is about 25 times thicker than our industry incumbents, averaging 26 m of continuous mineralisation. This thickness means scale, which means mechanisation, and mechanisation means lower costs and safer operations,” Friedland explains.

Edited by Chanel de Bruyn
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Online

Article Enquiry

Email Article

Save Article

Feedback

To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here

Showroom

Environmental Impact Management Services
Environmental Impact Management Services

EIMS is an independent specialised environmental consulting firm offering the full spectrum of environmental management services across all sectors...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
The Steel Tube Export Association of South Africa
Steel Tube Export Association of South Africa

The Steel Tube Export Association of South Africa was established to develop sustainable, internationally competitive carbon steel tube and pipe...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

FAM Minerals & Mining South Africa team
FAM Minerals & Mining launches in South Africa
30th January 2026 By: Darren Parker
Transnet, RBCT, Exxaro manganese make headlines
Transnet, RBCT, Exxaro manganese make headlines
30th January 2026
Magazine cover image
Magazine round up | 30 January 2026
30th January 2026

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.126 0.212s - 145pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now