Key Features
| Location: |
Eight kilometres east of the company’s flagship operation, Kroondal, on the western limb of the Bushveld Complex in North West Province, South Africa |
| Ownership: |
50:50 partnership between AQPSA and Anglo Platinum hrough a pool and share agreement (P&SA2) |
| Comprises: |
Two decline shafts (1 and 4 shafts) accessing the underground operation, open-pit operations and a concentrator plant with a capacity of 220,000tpm |
| Management: |
Dedicated AQPSA management team
|
| Production: |
Total production of 157,937 PGM ounces in FY2009
Production attributable to Aquarius of 78,969 PGM ounces
(17% of group attributable production) |
| Mineral Resources and Reserves |
Total attributable mineral resources of 2.47 million 4E ounces after application of geological losses
Total attributable mineral reserves of 1.60 million 4E ounces |
| Life-of-mine: |
To 2020 |
| Refining: |
Concentrate produced from mineral reserves contributed by Marikana is smelted, refined and marketed by Anglo Platinum and Impala Refining Services |
| Number of Employees: |
1,650 – including contractors |
About Marikana
Commissioned in late 2002, ahead of schedule and under the budgeted capital cost of R630 million, Marikana is Aquarius’ second operating mine in South Africa. AQPSA entered into a second pool and share agreement (P&SA2) with Anglo Platinum regarding Marikana in 2006. The P&SA2 includes a dense media separation (DMS) plant, commissioned in November 2006.
Location and Geology
Marikana comprises both the Marikana and 4 Shaft orebodies. The Marikana open pit orebody, which measures approximately 1.5 kilometres by 3 kilometres, is a basin-like structure which dips down toward the centre from all sides at an angle of between 10 and 20 degrees to a maximum depth of about 200 metres. The surface topography is flat with a gentle slope to the north.
The 4 Shaft orebody is adjacent to the Kroondal Block at the Kroondal Mine and has a similar geology with the UG2 dipping to the north at approximately 9 degrees. This orebody comprises two mineralised seams – the Main and Leader seams – which are separated by a one-metre pyroxenite zone commonly known as the parting.
Production
During FY2009 total tonnes mined at Marikana were up by 27% to 2.6Mt – 1.4Mt (54%) from underground and 1.2Mt (43%) from the open-pit operation. The ramp-up of underground production proceeded, despite the challenging mining conditions encountered. Production was constrained initially in the year by the loss of face length, a result of the increased frequency of potholes. Development was thus adapted to contain and limit geological losses. By the last quarter of the year, underground production amounted to 54% of the total and that from the open pits 43%.