Anglo American Platinum Limited |
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Marikana Platinum Mine
(managed by AQPSA –50:50 pooling-and-sharing agreement (PSA 2) with Aquarius Platinum (South Africa))
SAFETY
Regrettably, the mine had one fatality in 2009, while the LTIFR increased from 0.47 per 200,000 hours worked in 2008 to 1.01 for the year.
TRANSACTION
The reader is referred to the commentary under the Kroondal Platinum Mine for an update on the FirstPlats transaction and its effect on the Marikana Platinum Mine.
PRODUCTION
Equivalent refined platinum ounces attributable to Anglo American Platinum, which included 19,838 purchased ounces from the joint-venture partner, increased by 23% to 39,686 ounces in 2009, compared with 32,188 ounces in 2008. Sales to Impala Refining Services in terms of the Marikana offtake agreement amounted to 25,546 ounces in 2009 (26,408 ounces in 2008). The average 4E built-up head grade was 5% lower than in 2008, at 2.68 g/t.
COSTS
Anglo American Platinum’s share of on-mine costs decreased by 13% to R483 million. Cash on-mine cost per tonne milled decreased by 13% to R404. Cash operating cost per equivalent refined platinum ounce decreased by 18% to R11,037.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
Anglo American Platinum’s attributable share of capital expenditure for the year was R35 million, compared with R62 million in 2008.
OUTLOOK
The production of equivalent refined platinum ounces in 2010 is expected to remain in line with that achieved in 2009.
