Name of the Project
Zondereinde – Western extension project.

Location
Limpopo, South Africa.

Project Owner/s
Northam Platinum Holdings.

Project Description
The Zondereinde mine is an established, conventional, long-life operation that mines upper group two (UG2) and Merensky reef ore, producing about 300 000 oz/y of refined platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold, or 4E, platinum-group metals (PGMs).

In early 2018, Northam acquired a portion of the Amandelbult mining right – the Western extension – from Anglo American Platinum, containing 21-million ounces of PGMs within the high-grade Merensky and UG2 orebodies of the Bushveld Complex.

The extension provides Zondereinde with immediate access to an additional 3.6 km of mineable strike to the west of its existing underground operations, extending Zondereinde's life-of-mine to more than 30 years, and increasing production to 350 000 oz/y of 4E by 2026.

Northam has developed, and is equipping, a vertical personnel and materials shaft (No 3 Shaft), at a depth 1 382 m, to access the Western extension. It is also developing separate ventilation and rock-hoisting shafts on the same site. The shafts are being developed using the raise-boring method, which has safety, cost and time benefits.

No 3 Shaft will be able to carry 126 people at 12 m/s using a three-deck cage and counterweight configuration. The rock shaft is planned to hoist 115 000 t a month using 14 t skips in a skip-skip configuration. The ventilation shaft will be able to exhaust air at 400 kg/s.

The shafts will connect with an underground decline cluster, allowing for personnel transport, material distribution to and rock hoisting from the respective production levels. They will further enhance the provision of piped mining services including; backfill, chilled service water and ventilation, to the underground workings.

Mining activity from the existing workings of the Zondereinde mine will gradually transition into the Western extension block. 

Potential Job Creation
The expanded mining footprint is enabling the creation of direct, meaningful, sustainable employment for an additional 600 people.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
R4.7-billion.

Planned Start/End Date
Not stated.

Latest Developments
PGM production from Zondereinde remains on target, despite a stoppage during November because of a failure of a primary Eskom feed substation. 

Chrome concentrate production has benefitted from increased UG2 milling and further incremental improvements in chrome recovery. 

The commissioning of No 3 Shaft, where development and equipping continue, is expected to improve production and efficiencies.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Master Drilling (raise-bore drilling contractor); and BBE (design and build of refrigeration plant).

Contact Details for Project Information
Northam Platinum, tel +27 11 759 6000.
R&A Strategic Communications, on behalf of Northam Platinum, tel +27 11 880 3924 or email marion@rasc.co.za.