Impala Platinum Mine

 mine, platinum mine/processing

This is the boundary of the mining right for the Impala Platinum Mine.

Mine Summary:
* A Shaft mining complex consisting of 25+ active shafts with many proposed
* Mineral processes, incorporating concentrating and smelting plants
* Refineries, housing the base and precious metals refineries
* Reserves: 23.0 million attributable ounces of platinum
* Resources (including reserves) 68.0 million attributable ounces of platinum
* Production: 871 400 ounces of refined platinum
* Employees and contractors: 45 587

Impala Platinum, Implats’ primary operational unit, has operations situated on the Impala lease area on the western limb of the world-renowned Bushveld Complex near Rustenburg in South Africa, and in Springs east of Johannesburg. In FY2010 the operation produced 871 000 ounces of platinum and has a 30 year production plan in place to produce up to 1 million ounces of platinum per annum.

HISTORY

Hans Merensky first discovered platinum in the Bushveld Igneous Complex in 1924. Impala was created in the mid 1960’s to house Union Corporation’s platinum interests. At this time a prospecting permit was acquired and initial production commenced in 1969. Initially Impala mined the Merensky Reef and mining on the UG2 chromitite layer only began in the early 1980’s as the technology to smelt higher chrome ore was developed. By the early 1990’s Impala was producing a 1 million platinum ounces per annum.

A mining lease over land predominantly owned by the Bafokeng Tribe (now the Royal Bafokeng Nation (RBN)) was originally granted in 1968. A landmark agreement securing Impala’s access to these mineral rights for a period of 40 years was signed with the RBN in February 1999. In terms of this agreement, the RBN not only enjoyed royalties from metals mined in areas over which they hold mineral rights, but they also became a major shareholder in the holding company, Implats, with board representation. A new agreement finalised in early March 2007 resulted in the royalty being converted into equity making the RBN the group’s largest shareholder.

GEOLOGY

Both the Merensky Reef and UG2 Chromitite Layer, which are contained in the Rustenburg Layered Suite, a well-layered ultramafic to mafic igneous succession on the 2 billion year-old Bushveld Complex, are present throughout the lease area. Both reefs sub-outcrop on the mining area and dip approximately 9 to 10 degrees towards the centre of the Complex, although locally dips may increase to 15 degrees. The vertical separation between the Merensky and UG2 reefs varies from about 125 metres in the south to some 45 metres in the north.

METALLURGY

Mineral Processes houses the concentrator and smelter operations and is located on the mine property in Rustenburg. The concentrator consists of 30 run-of-mine semi-autogeneous mills. The smelter currently operates three six-inline AC electric furnaces ranging from 32 to 38MW.

Impala is committed to maintaining a leading edge in its metallurgical operations and significant capital expenditure programmes have been undertaken to ensure sufficient capacity to meet the group’s growth strategy. The R1 billion smelter expansion was completed in February 2009 with the commissioning of the gas-cleaning plant. In addition to increasing overall capacity to 2.8 million ounces of platinum, the plant is now fully compliant with the latest environmental legislation. An expansion to the tails retreatment plant, which involved a doubling of capacity, improved recoveries in FY2010.

A phased expansion in capacity has also been undertaken at Impala’s refineries in Springs. Currently capacity of 2.3 million ounces of platinum at the Base Metals Refinery (BMR) matches installed capacity at the Precious Metals Refinery (PMR). The bankable feasibility study for a further expansion of the PMR to 2.8 million ounces of platinum has been completed. Due to its modular nature this project can be quickly activated when market conditions warrant.

BLACK ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

Impala meets the ownership requirements of the Mining Charter for 2014. In terms of an agreement finalised in early March 2007, Impala agreed to pay the Royal Bafokeng Nation (RBN) all royalties due to them from the 1st July 2007 onwards. This amounted to R12.5 billion. Effectively through this transaction, Impala have discharged its obligation to pay royalties to the RBN. The RBN, in turn, have subscribed for 75.1 million Implats shares giving them a 13.2% share in the holding company.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Impala is committed to a sustainable mining industry and believes that it is a strategic imperative for the future. The operation has used the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA), the recently updated Mining Charter, the Mining Scorecard and Codes of Good Practice as guidelines to ensure a holistic approach. The result is a proactive strategy designed to ensure that genuine transformation is achieved, notably in terms of ownership, management, skills development, employment equity, procurement, housing and rural development.


Reference for location(Shaft location map):
www.implats.co.za/implats/downloads/2006/annual_report/...

tracks4africa.co.za/maps/w184948/

Reference for information:
www.implats.co.za/implats/Impala-platinum.asp

Reference for Information:
www.implats.co.za/implats/Impala-platinum.asp

www.miningweekly.com/article/differing-shareholders-clo...