Name of the Project
Waterberg project.

Location
Limpopo, South Africa.

Project Owner/s
Platinum Group Metals (PTM) and Waterberg JV Resources, representing owners PTM (37.19% held directly by PTM RSA) plus 12.97% held indirectly through PTM RSA’s 49.9% interest in Mnombo Wethu Consultants, Mnombo (26.0% direct), Impala Platinum (14.86% direct) and HJ Platinum Metals Company (HJM – 21.95% direct). HJM is a special-purpose entity established in 2023 to hold and fund the equity interests of the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security, and Hanwa Co.

Project Description
An independent definitive feasibility study (2024 DFS) has updated the original positive results of the independent definitive feasibility study published in September 2019 (2019 DFS) for a safe, large-scale, shallow, decline-accessible and mechanised platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold (4E) mine. 

Proven and probable mineral reserves have increased by 20% to 23.41-million ounces 4E (246.2-million tonnes at an average grade of 2.96 g/t 4E, 0.08% copper, and 0.17% nickel) as at August 31, 2024. 

The life-of-mine (LoM) has increased from 45 years in the 2019 DFS to 54 years in the 2024 DFS.

The 2024 DFS mine plan models steady-state production at 4.8-million tonnes of ore a year and an LoM average of 353 208 oz/y 4E in concentrate, versus an LoM average of 390 796 oz/y 4E in concentrate in the 2019 DFS, when calculated in the same manner.

Maximum production is estimated at 432 950 oz/y 4E in concentrate in the 2024 DFS. The mine initially accesses the F-Central Zone orebody using a single set of twin decline tunnels (service and conveyor declines) with mining of 400 000 t a month using fully mechanised longhole stoping methods. 

The Central-F steady-state ore-to-waste ratio in the 2024 DFS is a favourable 14.8%, and about 47% of waste rock will be placed underground as backfill, with the balance to be trucked or conveyed to surface. Ore will be mucked to one of several underground rock breakers, from where it will be sized and then transported to surface by conveyors. 

Paste backfill will be used, allowing for a high mining extraction ratio, as mining can be completed next to backfilled stopes with few internal pillars.

After about 26 years of mining, once production in the Central Complex starts to ramp down, the T-Zone and F-South Zones are scheduled for access by development of twin drives from the F-Central Zone infrastructure. Mining is to continue using fully mechanised longhole stoping methods and paste backfill.

As in the 2019 DFS, a separate boxcut and portal to access the North Complex, with twin declines, is also scheduled later in the mine plan. Once established, the South Complex (100 000 t a month) and North Complex (300 000 t a month), are scheduled to ramp up to maintain 400 000 t a month production for the balance of the LoM.

The North Complex mine design and grade profile is unchanged from the 2019 DFS.

Metallurgical recovery and smelter assumptions are based on the plant designs, metallurgical recoveries and costing on a standard South African flotation mill-float-mill-float circuit.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The 2024 DFS shows a robust after-tax net present value, at an 8% real discount rate, of R11.56-billion and an internal rate of return of 14.2% using average long-term consensus metal prices as of May 2024.

Payback from first production is estimated at 5.8 years.

Capital Expenditure
The total capital expenditure (capex) in the 2024 DFS is estimated at R18.86-billion, including 8.5% for contingencies, and peak capital is estimated at R15.43-billion.

Planned Start/End Date
Under the 2024 DFS financial model, construction is expected to start in December 2025, with first production forecast for September 2029. Ramp-up to steady state is expected by May 2032.

Latest Developments
The 2024 DFS has indicated that before a construction decision can be made, arrangements will be required for Waterberg project concentrate offtake or processing. PTM and the Waterberg JV are assessing commercial alternatives for mine development financing and concentrate offtake. 

Obtaining reasonable terms for Waterberg project concentrate offtake from an existing smelter/refiner in South Africa is considered the preferred option. PTM is in discussion with several South African smelter operators, including Implats, to establish formal concentrate offtake arrangements for the project. No binding concentrate offtake terms have been agreed to yet. 

PTM is also assessing the economic feasibility of building a smelter and base metal refinery (BMR) to process Waterberg project concentrate outside of South Africa.

The company announced a cooperation agreement with Ajlan & Bros Mining and Metals Co on December 20, 2023, to study the establishment of a standalone PGM smelter and BMR in Saudi Arabia.

Before Waterberg project concentrate can be processed in Saudi Arabia, a long-term export approval to ship unrefined precious metals in concentrate from South Africa would be required. PTM is working with the South African government to identify local beneficiation opportunities and analyse the economic impact of exporting concentrate.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Stantec Consulting International and DRA Projects (independent definitive feasibility); and Fraser McGill (engineering oversight and project management).

Contact Details for Project Information
PTM, tel +27 11782 2186 or email info@platinumgroupmetals.net.