Photo by: Platinum Group Metals
Name of the Project
Waterberg platinum group metals (PGMs) project.
Location
About 85 km north of Mokopane, in Limpopo, South Africa.
Project Owner/s
Waterberg Joint Venture (JV) Resources, or Waterberg JV Co, a JV between Platinum Group Metals, or PTM (37.05%); Impala Platinum Holdings, or Implats (15%); HJ Platinum Metals Company (21.95%) comprising Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation, or Jogmec (12.195%) and Hanwa Co (9.755%); and black economic-empowerment partner Mnombo Wethu Consultants (26%). As a result of PTM's 49.90% ownership in Mnombo, the company has an effective interest in the Waterberg JV of 50.02%.
Project Description
The 2019 definitive feasibility study (DFS) mine plan envisages production of 4.8-million tonnes of ore a year and 420 000 platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold ounces a year in concentrate.
The mine will initially access the orebody using two sets of twin decline tunnels, with fully mechanised longhole stoping methods and paste backfill used for mining. Paste backfill allows for a high mining extraction ratio, as mining can be completed next to backfilled stopes without leaving internal pillars.
Maintaining safety and reliability are key mine design criteria. As a result of the scale of the orebody, bulk mining on 20 m to 40 m sublevels using large underground equipment, and conveyors for ore and waste transport, will provide high efficiency.
Potential Job Creation
The project will create about 1 100 new highly skilled jobs.
Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has an after-tax net present value, at an 8% discount rate, of $982-million and an internal rate of return of 20.7%. This is based on the 2019 DFS prices of palladium – $1 546, platinum – $980, gold – $1 548 and rhodium – $5 036 ($/R:15).
Capital Expenditure
Capital expenditure is estimated at $874-million, including $87-million in contingencies. Peak project funding is estimated at $617-million, based on 2019 commodity prices and costs.
Latest Developments
The Waterberg DFS update, which will include an update to the September 4, 2019, independent mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates, is currently under way.
The Waterberg JV Co is assessing commercial alternatives for mine development financing and concentrate offtake. Obtaining reasonable terms for Waterberg concentrate offtake from an existing smelter/refinery in South Africa is considered the preferred option.
PTM is in discussion with several South African smelter operators, including Implats, to establish formal concentrate offtake arrangements for the Waterberg project. Although discussions continue, to date no formal concentrate offtake terms have been achieved.
PTM is also assessing the possibility of building a smelter and base metal refinery for the processing of Waterberg project concentrate to produce an upgraded product for sale in the market without the need for treatment by a third-party offtaker.
Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Stantec Consulting International and DRA Projects SA (DFS).
Contact Details for Project Information
PTM, tel +27 11782 2186 or email info@platinumgroupmetals.net.