Anglo American Platinum Limited |
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Greenfields Projects
Two fatal incidents and 78 lost-time injuries occurred within projects during the year.
Owing to the economic decline, the Group undertook rescheduling of various projects in order to manage cash flow requirements.
Details of the rescheduling and updated project information for the Brownfields projects are included under the respective operational reports, while the section below covers the remaining projects only.
MINING PROJECTS IN DEVELOPMENT
Pandora project (non-managed: 42,5% with Eastern Platinum Limited)
In line with the strategy agreed upon by the partners in 2005, to proceed with a phased implementation of the project, a small-scale mining approach was implemented in 2006, while continuing with further investigations on rescoping the project. The small-scale mining approach was based on continued development and stoping in Lonmin's No 3 decline, and the start of an opencast section. In 2007, 310,000 tonnes were mined from Lonmin's No 3 incline and 560,000 tonnes from the opencast mining operation. The ore is to be sold to Lonmin until the concentrator has been built . The rescoping that started in 2006 was concluded during 2008. It is currently anticipated that further development in Lonmin's No 3 decline will continue in parallel with the study work.
Ga-Phasha project (managed: 50% with Anooraq)
The conclusion of the transaction announced on 4 September 2007 will result in Anglo American Platinum selling an additional 1% interest in Ga-Phasha to Anooraq, which will effectively give Anooraq control of the asset. It is envisaged that the transaction will be concluded by April 2009. All project work at Ga-Phasha is under review in order to assess the potential consolidation of this property with the Lebowa properties.
Der Brochen (100%)
The 2006 pre-feasibility study at Der Brochen Platinum Mine, 100% owned by Anglo American Platinum, was extended to develop the geological model further and to conclude the work to feasibility standards in 2008. The feasibility work was concluded but was superseded by the sale of the Booysendal property, which included some 1.3 km of strike length of the Der Brochen ore body. This has effectively set the study back to the conceptual level. New work will thus be done in 2009.
A bulk sample of the Merensky Reef has been mined via one of the existing adits on the Richmond property, to further define characteristics, including recovery potential of the reef. Ongoing site activities include additional in-fill exploration drilling, aimed at optimising mining plans.
Booysendal Joint Venture (managed: 50% with Mvelaphanda/Northam Platinum)
The BEE transactions with Mvelaphanda Resources announced in September 2007 has been concluded, barring one outstanding fulfilment, which should be met early 2009.
Central and Eastern Limb water supply
The Central and Eastern Limb is currently in the developmental phase and needs substantial volumes of water to meet the envisaged development profile. The Olifants River Water Resource Development project, which includes a new pipeline from the Flag Boshielo Dam to Pruissen Reservoir, needs to be developed by the Government and its agencies. In addition, the Group is looking at securing additional effluent water from both the Polokwane and the Mogalakwena municipalities for the Mogalakwena Mine of Rustenburg Platinum Mines Limited. The construction of the De Hoop Dam began in 2008, with the first water due to be delivered in the first quarter of 2011.
Unki
This project is situated near Gweru, on Zimbabwe's Great Dyke. Unki is planned as a 120,000 tonne per month operation, and both the mine and the concentrator have the potential to be further expanded. The mine uses a mechanised, trackless board-and-pillar mining method. Two declines have been designed, one for people and materials, the other for a conveyor to extract ore mined. Both declines are being developed on-reef, with strike belts from the seven production sections transferring ore directly onto the main decline conveyor. The concentrator design has made provision for capacity expansion with minimal capital, and is based on a standard MF2 circuit. Concentrate produced at Unki Mine will be transported to the Polokwane Smelter. Development of underground declines is on schedule. The ore body was intercepted in September 2007 and stockpiling is in progress. Construction of the concentrator plant is well under way, with commissioning planned for December 2009 and the mine reaching steady state in 2010. Capital constraints have necessitated the deferral of the housing and incircuit crusher scopes.
In March 2008, an agreement was entered into with the Government of Zimbabwe (GOZ) in terms of which 31.3% of the PGM mining claims have been released to GOZ in return for empowerment credits. The agreement is expected to become effective during 2009.
