Name of the Project
Waterberg palladium project.
Location
The Waterberg project is located 85 km north of Mokopane, in Limpopo, South Africa.
Project Owner/s
Waterberg Joint Resource is a JV between Platinum Group Metals, or PTM (37.05%), Impala Platinum Holdings (Implats) (15%), Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (12.95%), Hanwa Co (9.75%) and black economic-empowerment partner Mnombo Wethu Consultants (26%). As a result of PTM's 49.90% ownership in Mnombo, the Company has an effective interest in the Waterberg JV of 50.02%.
Project Description
The definitive feasibility study (DFS) mine plan envisages production of 4.8-million tonnes of ore a year and 420 000 platinum, palladium rhodium and gold, or 4E, ounces a year in concentrate.
The mine will initially access the orebody using two sets of twin decline tunnels, with fully mechanised longhole stoping methods and paste backfill used for mining. Paste backfill allows for a high mining extraction ratio, as mining can be completed next to backfilled stopes without leaving internal pillars.
Maintaining safety and reliability are key mine design criteria. As a result of the scale of the orebody, bulk mining on 20 m to 40 m sublevels using large underground equipment, and conveyors for ore and waste transport, will provide high efficiency.
Potential Job Creation
The project will create about 1 100 new highly skilled jobs.
Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has an after-tax net present value, at an 8% discount rate, of $982-million and an internal rate of return of 20.7%.
Capital Expenditure
Capital expenditure is estimated at $874-million, including $87-million in contingencies. Peak project funding is estimated at $617-million.
Planned Start/End Date
PTM reported in May 2020 that it was possible for production to start in the first quarter of 2024, following decline establishment in the first quarter of 2021. Steady-state production of 420 000 oz/y could be achieved from 2027.
Latest Developments
PTM has said that work is progressing well on the development of its 50.02%-owned Waterberg project.
The project’s engineering team is converting details from the DFS, published in September 2019, into a formal cost budget estimate, with a focus on critical path elements and the first two years of construction.
The company is optimising plans pertaining to roads, a construction camp, power, water and project start dates.
The next major milestones for PTM and the project include further detailed work with the host communities in the area of the mine, offtake arrangements and construction financing.
PTM is in discussions with several parties as offtake partners and detailed due diligence is under way with multiple parties for construction financing.
The total expenditure on the project from inception to date is about $78-million.
Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Stantec Consulting International and DRA Projects SA (DFS).
Contact Details for Project Information
PTM, tel +27 11782 2186 or email info@platinumgroupmetals.net. 