Buffalo Fluorspar Mine

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Sallies was incorporated in 1903 as The South African Landand Exploration Company Limited to develop a gold mine on the East Rand. It has been listed since 1904 in the “Mining” sector of what is now known as the JSE Limited (“JSE”). Following the closure of all of its gold mining activities during the 1990s and the acquisition of the Witkop Fluorspar Mine near Zeerust in the Northwest Province of South Africa on 1 July 1999, Sallies has been producing and marketing acid grade fluorspar (“acidspar”). The Buffalo fluorspar tailings retreatment facility, situated on the original open-pit Buffalo Fluorspar Mine outside Mookgophong in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, was acquired in July 2006.

The bulk of Sallies’ acidspar output is exported to produce hydrofluoric acid (“HF”). This product is converted into HFC refrigerant gases, fluoroplastics, aluminium tri-fluoride and products for niche markets.

Acidspar from Witkop is widely sought after due to the low levels of contaminants in its product. The Buffalo product contains a higher level of phosphorous and thus has a more restricted market.

Buffalo was mothballed during October 2008 due to market circumstances. Ongoing empirical test work to reduce the phosphorous content of its product is in progress.In addition, test work on the fines from the substantial aggregate dumps on the neighbouring property not owned by Sallies continues. If either of these projects proves successful, Buffalo could be re-opened, given suitable market conditions.

Mining operations at Witkop were suspended at the end of June 2009 due to market conditions. Limited production of metallurgical grade fluorspar and agricultural lime, previously considered by-products, continues in order to supply local customers. Witkop will re-open when the Rand price achievable for acidspar in the international markets recovers to an economic level.


Reference for information:
www.sallies.co.za/index.html