Access Keys:

Major projects

Anglo Platinum's objective is to maintain its position as the leading primary producer of platinum. Project capital spend is now directly related to Platinum's long term ounce requirements.

Dishaba (Amandelbult) East Upper UG2

Overall capex: $224m

Country South Africa
Ownership 100% Anglo Platinum
Incremental production 100,000 oz per annum
Full project capex $224m
Full production Q4 2012

The East Upper UG2 project utilises mined out Merensky reef infrastructure at Dishaba No 2 shaft to access UG2 reserves. Project implementation commenced in 2007 and is on schedule to reach steady-state production of 100,000 platinum ounces per annum by 2010. The construction phase and the 18 months ore reserve development in the remaining section of the project are on schedule for completion in the first quarter of 2010.

Thembelani 2 Shaft (Paardekraal)

Overall capex: $316m

Country South Africa
Ownership 100% Anglo Platinum
Replacement production 120,000 oz per annum
Full project capex $316m
Full production Q2 2015

The project is designed to restore the Merensky reef output at Thembelani, in line with the overall strategy for the Rustenburg mining right area to maximise Merensky production where possible. The Thembelani 2 Shaft (Paardekraal) shaft is the first of two or three intermediate vertical shafts which will be used to maintain the Rustenburg production profile between 2016 and 2026. The first blast of the shaft took place on 4 September 2006 while construction of the man-and-materials shaft began in September 2007. The ventilation shaft has reached its bottom station (1,036 metres below collar) and infrastructure to hoist rock during initial Ore Reserve development is currently being established.

Bokoni (Lebowa Brakfontein Merensky)

Overall capex: $179m

Country South Africa
Ownership 100% Anglo Platinum
Replacement production 108,000 oz per annum
Full project capex $179m
Full production Q1 2011

The implementation of the Brakfontein Merensky project (120,000 tonnes per month) has been completed. The ramp-up of production began in the first quarter of 2009 and access to five levels is now in place. The project is to deliver steady-state production at the end of 2014. The construction of surface infrastructure was completed in 2009. At steady state, the project will provide sufficient feedstock for the upgraded Merensky Concentrator until 2021.

Mogalakwena North

Overall capex: $922m

Country South Africa
Ownership 100% Anglo Platinum
Incremental production 350,000 – 400,000 oz per annum
Full project capex $922m
Full production 2012

In 2006 the Board approved the Mogalakwena North project, which has increased milling capacity by 600,000 tonnes per month. This project was commissioned and handed over to the mine in March 2008. 2009 saw the completion of surface-supporting infrastructure and also of plant-optimisation work. The mainstream inert grinding (MIG) and ultrafine grinding (UFG) plants were installed and successfully commissioned. The new tailings dam on the farm Blinkwater is under construction and will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2010. The relocation of the Ga-Puka and Ga-Sekhaolelo villages, commonly referred to as the Motlhotlo Village, is 94% complete.

Mainstream inert grind projects

Overall capex: $188m

Country South Africa
Ownership 100% Anglo Platinum
Replacement production Improve process
recoveries
Full project capex $188m
Full production Q3 2010

The $188 million Mainstream inert grind projects were approved in November 2007. These projects will improve mineral liberation and metallurgical performance within the process flow of the current concentrators, and will result in an increase in PGM recovery.

Base metals refinery expansion

Overall capex: $279m

Country South Africa
Ownership 100% Anglo Platinum
Replacement production 11,000 tonnes per annum of nickel
Full project capex $279m
Full production Q1 2012

The BMR expansion project began in the second half of 2007, following Board approval. Construction is 50% complete, with certain areas handed over to the operations, including No 1 and No 2 autoclaves, and the copper removal thickener. The crystalliser facility was commissioned in 2009. In December 2008, the Board took the decision to defer the project for a period of one year. The restart of the BMR expansion project is expected at the beginning of January 2010, with the project anticipated to take 15-16 months to complete.

Twickenham

Overall capex: $800m

Country South Africa
Ownership 100% Anglo Platinum
Incremental production 180,000 oz per annum
Full project capex $800m
Full production Q4 2018

The $800 million Twickenham expansion project was approved by the Board in the first quarter of 2008. The project will expand current operations and exploit the UG2 reef horizon. Following the deferrals of capital, the project is now scheduled to start producing in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Styldrift Merensky phase 1

Overall capex: $1,621m

Country South Africa
Ownership 100% Anglo Platinum
Replacement production 245,000 oz per annum
Full project capex $1,621
Full production Q2 2018

The Styldrift project provides for the production of 230,000 tonnes (100%) per month of Merensky Reef from 2017, by way of a combination of mechanised room-and-pillar and conventional mining methods. Ore will be delivered to an expanded concentrator adjacent to the existing concentrator. Project site work began during March 2009.

Back to top