PLATINUM Australia has got commissioning underway for a processing plant at its Smokey Hills mine in South Africa.
According to the company, a number of drives have been powered in the plant’s milling section, and the primary mill was turned for the first time earlier in October 2008.
Other sections will be progressively commissioned throughout the month, with the first UG2 chromotite feed to reach the plant by 23 October 2008. First flotation concentrates are expected to be seen by early November 2008.
Platinum Australia managing director, John Lewins, says the plant represents an important milestone, as it marks the company’s transition from explorer/developer to PGM producer.
The Smokey Hills project is estimated to produce 45,000oz of 4E PGM by mid 2009, and an average of 95,000oz each year in the future.
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