This technical report covers the mineral processing and metallurgical testing for the PPM-Sedibelo-Magazynskraal PGM Project as of 31 December 2021.
Report context
The NI43-101 Technical Report for the PPM-Sedibelo-Magazynskraal PGM Project, North West Province, South Africa, was prepared for Sedibelo Platinum Mines Ltd and issued with an effective date of 31 December 2021 and a report date of 27 May 2022. The report addresses mineral processing, metallurgical testing, and recovery methods for the project, which includes current concentrator operations and a proposed Kell refinery.
Processing route
Current Concentrator Operations
The current operations consist of three concentrator circuits: the Merensky Concentrator, the UG2 Circuit, and the TSP (Tuschenkomst Sinter Plant) Circuit. A Chromite Recovery Plant is also included in the current processing configuration.
The Merensky Concentrator processes Merensky Reef material. The UG2 Circuit is dedicated to processing UG2 Reef ore. The TSP Circuit handles material from the Tuschenkomst (West Pit) area. The Chromite Recovery Plant recovers chromite from the concentrator tailings streams.
Proposed Kell Refinery
A Kell Refining Circuit is proposed as part of the future processing route. The Kell process is a refining process designed to treat PGM concentrate. Metallurgical testwork has been conducted on the Kell process to evaluate its performance for the project.
Metallurgical Testwork
Metallurgical testing was carried out for four distinct areas:
West Pit (Tuschenkomst) , Testwork was undertaken on samples from the West Pit area to establish metallurgical performance parameters.
Sedibelo (Wilgespruit) , Testwork was conducted on material from the Sedibelo (Wilgespruit) area to determine processing characteristics.
Magazynskraal / Sedibelo East , Metallurgical testing was performed on samples from the Magazynskraal and Sedibelo East areas.
Kell Refining Process , Testwork was specifically carried out on the Kell refining process to assess its suitability for treating PGM concentrate from the project.
Plant Recovery and Deleterious Factors/Elements
Recovery parameters were established for both the concentrators and the Kell process. Deleterious factors and elements were evaluated as part of the metallurgical testwork program. The report states that analyses for deleterious elements were conducted and considered in the processing design.
Key reported parameters
| Parameter | Unit | Design / Actual / Testwork Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Merensky Concentrator throughput | Not specified | Existing operations; design parameters not detailed in this section |
| UG2 Circuit throughput | Not specified | Existing operations; design parameters not detailed in this section |
| TSP Circuit throughput | Not specified | Existing operations; design parameters not detailed in this section |
| Chromite Recovery Plant throughput | Not specified | Existing operations; design parameters not detailed in this section |
| Kell Plant throughput | Not specified | Proposed design; testwork completed but specific design parameters not provided in this section |
| Ore milled, 4E head grade and recovery | Not specified | Historical operating data referenced; actual values not presented in this section |
| Concentrate 4E grade and recovery | Not specified | Historical operating data referenced; actual values not presented in this section |
Technical qualifications
The report limits its processing sections to the metallurgical testing, current concentrator operations, and the proposed Kell refinery design. No detailed flowsheet diagrams, specific performance data, or economics are provided beyond the descriptions of the testwork programs and plant configurations. The report does not include definitive plant throughput specifications or recovery values in the Mineral Processing and Recovery Methods sections presented. The metallurgical testing was carried out by certified laboratories, with the adequacy of the data being assessed in the report.
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Source: PPM-Sedibelo-Magazynskraal PGM Project, North West Province, South Africa, NI43-101 Technical Report, SRK Report 583496_SPM_NI43-101_PSM Project_27may22.docx, effective date 31 December 2021, report date 27 May 2022.
