Marula Platinum Mine

 mine, platinum mine/processing

This is the Marula Platinum Mine Mining Right and Marula Platinum Limited (Marula) is 73% owned by Implats, 9% by Marula Community Trust, 9% by Mmakau Mining, and 9% by Tubatse Platinum.

It is one of the first operations to have been developed on the relatively under-exploited eastern limb of the Bushveld Complex in South Africa. It is located in the Limpopo Province, some 50 kilometres north of Burgersfort. In FY2010 the operation produced 70,100 ounces of platinum in concentrate. The operation comprises two on-reef decline shafts, one off-reef conventional decline and a metallurgical plant. Annual steady-state production of 100,000 ounces of platinum in concentrate is anticipated over the next three years.

Business summary

-Two on-reef decline shafts and an off-reef conventional decline
-Concentrator plant
-Reserves: 1.9 million attributable ounces of platinum
-Resources (including reserves) 7.6 million attributable ounces of platinum
-Production: 70 100 ounces of platinum in concentrate
-Employees and contractors: 3 968

HISTORY
Platinum was first discovered in the area by renowned explorer Hans Merensky on the nearby farm Maandagshoek (now Modikwa Platinum) in the 1920’s. In June 1998 Implats entered into an arrangement to acquire the Winnaarshoek property from Platexco, a Canadian based company. The mineral rights to portions of the adjacent farms of Clapham and Forest Hill and a sub-lease to Driekop were subsequently acquired from Anglo Platinum in exchange for Hendriksplaats (part of Modikwa Platinum) so consolidating the Marula mine area. The exploration programme was then expanded and some 750 surface boreholes were drilled. The establishment and development of the mine, requiring considerable investment from Implats in both infrastructure and environmental protection measures, commenced in October 2002.

GEOLOGY
Both the Merensky Reef and the underlying UG2 Reef are present and sub-outcrop in the Marula mining right area. The reefs dip generally in west-south-west direction at about 13 degrees with a vertical separation of some 400 metres between them. While one prominent dyke and a dunite pipe are present, there is minimal faulting on the property.

MINING
Current mining activities target the UG2 Reef only which is accessed via two declines, Clapham and Driekop, which are situated 1.3 km apart and will eventually reach a depth of 770 metres. The declines were sunk on-reef from the outcrop at a minor dip of 9.5 degrees, each with three portal entries.

Marula is currently converting to conventional breast mining as the initial mine plan utilising mechanised bord-and-pillar techniques proved unsuccessful due to steeper dips and the unexpected rolling of the reef. Hybrid mining is being undertaken until the conventional operation is fully established. Potential future mining of the Merensky Reef will largely be influenced by the market outlook.

METALLURGY
The metallurgical plant which was commissioned in February 2004 consists of a concentrator and a dense media separation plant (DMS). The DMS is currently mothballed due to low throughput. The plant has a capacity of 6,000 tonnes per day, capable of coping with current mine production. Concentrate is transported by road to Impala Platinum’s Mineral Processes in Rustenburg in terms of a life-of-mine offtake agreement with Impala Refining Services (IRS).

BLACK ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
Black economic empowerment forms a key component of the Marula operation and our partners together own 27% of the company. Each of the following parties hold a 9% stake in the business: The Marula Community Trust ensuring sustainable benefit flows to the local community over the life of the mine and beyond; Tubatse Platinum, a broad based HDSA empowerment consortium from local business; and Mmakau Mining, an established mining entity. Implats, as the largest stakeholder, brings technical, managerial, financial and operational expertise to the mine.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
In addition to the BEE equity stakes in Marula, the company is determined to maximise the benefits of the mine for the community even further. Preference is thus given to local contractors and suppliers of goods and services. Local economic development projects include infrastructural development at the Makgamathu and Mohlalamorudi Secondary Schools, an agricultural project in the Tubatse municipality, water and electricity supply to 1,900 households over the next five years, community sports initiatives and assistance with a project to extract and market chrome from tailings.


Reference for information:
www.implats.co.za/implats/Marula-Platinum.asp
www.mmakaumining.co.za/platinum_marula.htm
financialresults.co.za/2010/implats_ar2010/po_ops_marul...