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| Bafokeng-Rasimone Platinum Mine (BRPM)
(managed – 50:50 joint venture with Royal Bafokeng Resources (Pty) Limited) |
| SAFETY |
| Unfortunately BRPM recorded three fatal incidents
during 2007, compared with the two in 2006. Lost-time
injuries, however, reduced from 420 to 191, which
decreased the LTIFR from 4.82 to 2.59. |
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| PRODUCTION |
Contractor labour activism hampered production
during the first quarter of the year. An undercurrent of
activism persisted during the year culminating in a
strike by JIC contractors in the second half
of 2007. Subsequent production losses were
exacerbated by mill breakdowns during quarter two,
difficult ground conditions encountered at North shaft
and a five-day work stoppage for safety reasons.
Consequently, tonnes milled declined from the 2006
level of 1,443,000 to 1,284,000 tonnes. However, 2006
production included the treatment of surface stockpile
tonnes at Rustenburg Section, which were depleted in
the first quarter of 2007. Equivalent refined platinum
ounces decreased by 24,200 or 11% to 193,600. BRPM
is, therefore, producing at normalised levels following
the depletion of excess ore stockpiles.
Immediately available ore reserves at 16.3 months signify
an 11% increase from December 2006. BRPM remains a
100% Merensky operation, and the mine 4E built-up
head grade increased by 1% to 4.34 g/t from 2006. |
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| Glenn Harris |
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| COSTS |
| Anglo Platinum's share of cash on-mine costs increased
by 14% to R0.6 billion due to significant inflationary
pressures experienced in 2007, increased labour
complements, higher-than-inflation labour cost increases,
and the cost of transportation of ore and toll treatment
charges at Rustenburg Section. The cash on-mine cost
per tonne milled at R492 was 28% higher than 2006,
while cash on-mine cost per equivalent platinum ounce
increased by 28% to R6,525. |
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| CAPITAL EXPENDITURE |
| Anglo Platinum's share of capital expenditure for 2007
was R0.2 billion, a 14% increase from 2006. Capital
expenditure was primarily incurred on the second
phase BRPM project and the Styldrift feasibility study. |
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| OUTLOOK |
| South D section's surface infrastructure was
closed at the end of December 2007 and this
portion of the orebody will be exploited
through the South shaft infrastructure. This is
expected to have a positive impact on
operating costs going forward. In addition to
the wage settlement agreement reached in
2007 for permanent employees, two-year
wage agreements have been reached with the
major contractors at BRPM. |
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| Projects |
| BRPM Joint Venture |
The mine has continued with the development of the
phase 2 project, which is designed to deepen the
operations at both North and South shafts by an
additional five levels with associated infrastructure.
The project is on schedule for completion in 2010.
Production has started on six level, while seven level is
currently being equipped, with production scheduled to
start in 2008. Phase 2 will ensure constant production
at BRPM, building up to 110,000 tonnes per month per
shaft as production from phase 1 declines, due to the
depletion of ore reserves on the upper levels.
The Styldrift feasibility study has progressed satisfactorily
and will be completed by mid-2008. The design allows
for initial production of 230,000 tonnes per month of
Merensky ore in a combination of mechanised roomand-
pillar and conventional mining methods. Ore will be
delivered to an expanded concentrator adjacent to the
existing plant. |
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