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January 2015
MODERN MINING
33
PLATINUM
Production Manager at Great Noligwa.
Mohlabi’s tenure at BPM has coincided
with a significant revision of the project –
the Bakubung Platinum Mine Optimisation
Study – which was approved by Wesizwe in
March 2014. This was designed to reduce the
timeframe to full production, reduce capex,
improve efficiency and flexibility and generally
adapt the mine to the more constrained met-
als market seen over the past 18 months. The
Optimisation Plan was prepared by Wesizwe in
conjunction with its EPCM contractor for BPM,
WorleyParsons SA.
In terms of the Optimsation Plan, it is now
anticipated that there will be a 26-month
reduction in the time to full production, with
the initial 230 kt/month production level
now planned for October 2020, as opposed to
December 2022, with this increasing to 250 kt/
month run-of-mine ore at full capacity. There
will also be an increase in the PGM produc-
tion of the mine to 420 000 oz 4E per annum,
a 20 % increase in the annual production rate.
The decision was also taken to undertake all
mining on a fully or semi-mechanised basis
ahead of schedule
Above:
The award-winning,
87-m high main shaft steel
headgear (photo: Arthur
Tassell).
Centre:
Shaft sinking at
Bakubung is running ahead
of schedule.
(with the introduction of the UG2 mechanised
methods envisaged in the BFS to the Merensky
Reef horizon as well).
As a result of the Optimisation Plan, the
nominal capex for the project has reduced from
R12,3 billion to R10,69 billion although the real
capital cost has seen a 9 % increase, largely due
to the decision – as part of the optimisation
process – to make substantial use of conveyor
belts for ore transport and chair lifts for people
transport to reduce operating costs over the life