Key Features
| Location: |
Plant located on Anglo Platinum’s Rustenburg Platinum Mine (RPM), adjacent to Aquarius’ Kroondal Mine |
| Comprises: |
Processing of PGM-bearing current tailings streams |
| Management: |
Dedicated AQPSA management team |
| Production: |
Total production of 16,353 PGM ounces in FY2009
Production attributable to Aquarius of 8,176 PGM ounces |
| Life-of-mine: |
To 2020 |
| Refining: |
Concentrate produced is sold to Anglo Platinum’s RPM |
| Number of Employees: |
50 |
Background
Aquarius acquired a 50% interest in Platinum Mile Resources (Pty) Ltd with effect from 1 March 2008. Platinum Mile operates a tailings retreatment facility which retreats certain tailings from RPM and currently has an annual production capacity of approximately 35,000 PGM ounces. Platinum Mile has in place a profit share agreement with RPM. The remaining 50% of Platinum Mile is held by Mvelaphanda Holdings (Pty) Ltd.
Production
The Platinum Mile plant processed 8.7Mt for FY2009 at an average head grade of 0.67g/t as compared to a grade of 0.73g/t in FY2008. Recoveries of 9% were recorded for the year. As part of the planned optimisation project, the first of two new ultra-fine-grind Deswick mills was commissioned. The mills will make a significant contribution to higher metal recoveries for the plant.
Capital expenditure on the plant optimisation project totalled R53 million (R27 million attributable to Aquarius) for the year.
