Modern Mining February 2016

PLATINUM

UG2 North mine to the narrower Merensky reef. The conventional wisdom is that the Merensky horizon is best mined conventionally but we believe that mechanisation will work and that its advantages – notably a higher production rate – will outweigh negatives such as increased ore dilution. “Should the trial mining be successful, we envisage the Merensky North mine produc- ing 75 000 kt/month at steady state spanning a build up period of four years. The combination of the Merensky and UG2 North mines would allow Booysendal to produce up to 250 000 4E PGM ounces a year.” Theron adds that this figure could eventually

Above: Willie Theron (left), GM of Booysendal, with Braam Blom, Project Executive, Murray & Roberts Cementation (photo: Arthur Tassell). Left: The Booysendal mine is situated in mountainous surroundings approximately 86 kmwest by road of Mashishing (previously Lydenburg). Below: A twin boom Sandvik rig at work in the UG2 North mine.

mechanised undertaking trial mining to see if we can suc- cessfully apply the same mechanised mining methods and equipment that we’re using in the

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