Marikana

Marikana is a large, established shallow to moderate depth PGM mining complex that is accessed from surface through numerous incline and vertical shaft systems, with all the necessary surface infrastructure to support mining operations. Five shafts are currently in operation, 4Belt, K3, Rowland, Saffy and E3. Several are on care and maintenance. Conventional up-dip down-dip mining, together with limited breast mining, is the predominant method of mining employed.

The ore mined at the Marikana operation is processed through five concentrators on site with a combined milling capacity of approximately 600,000t per month. The concentrate produced is dispatched to the smelter where a sulphide-rich matte is produced for further processing at the Base Metal Refinery (BMR). At the BMR, base metals (nickel and copper) are removed and the resulting PGM-rich residue is subsequently sent to the Precious Metal Refinery (PMR) in Brakpan for final treatment. PMR produces the final precious metal products.

In addition to underground operations, there is one tailings retreatment operation. Remining of the eastern tailings dam 1 (ETD1) is by means of hydraulic mining with high-pressure water guns with the tailings retreated at the Bulk Tailings Treatment (BTT) plant.

Marikana has several mining rights. There are two mining rights within Western Platinum Limited, which have been converted to new order mining rights 11/2008MR and 29/2008MR. The mining rights within Eastern Platinum Limited were converted to new order mining rights, 16/2008MR and 13/3008MR. These mining rights, which are for the extraction of PGMs and, where applicable, the associated minerals, are valid until September 2037. Eastern tailings dam 1 is located within the area covered by new order mining right 16/2008MR.