|
Total metals in concentrate produced at the mine increased by 22.4% to 10 354 kg
(3PGE+Au) compared to the previous year. Sales of refined metal however,
increased by only 2.6% to 9 174 kg as a result of a build-up in inventory of 890
kg in the refining pipeline subsequent to re-commissioning the smelter.
The Merensky concentrator operated as planned achieving an average recovery
for the year of 88.6% (F2002: 88.6%). The average recovery at the UG2
concentrator during the year improved to 80.3% from 79.5% the previous year.
Smelter feed was 7.5% higher for the year at 84 200 tonnes of concentrate
which included 6 900 tonnes of Anglo Platinum toll material. In January the
smelter was shut down for a complete furnace rebuild after operating
continuously for the past eleven years. The entire project was successfully
completed and the plant was recommissioned during March 2003. During the
shutdown period, some 8 500 tonnes of Northam concentrates were toll treated by
Impala Refining Services.
The Base Removal Plant operated satisfactorily during the year achieving very
good average recovery rates. Good use was made of the time during the smelter
shutdown to carry out maintenance work on this plant.
Metallurgical research and development in the forthcoming year will be
focused on achieving optimal liberation of PGMs, a reduction of chrome in
concentrate and improved concentrate grades.
| Refined precious metals produced in
concentrate |
F2003 |
|
F2002 |
|
|
kg |
|
oz |
|
kg |
|
oz |
|
| Platinum |
6 399 |
|
205 732 |
|
5 202 |
|
167 248 |
| Palladium |
3 123 |
|
100 407 |
|
2 516 |
|
80 891 |
| Rhodium |
618 |
|
19 869 |
|
562 |
|
18 069 |
| Gold |
214 |
|
6 880 |
|
178 |
|
5 723 |
| Total (3PGE+Au) |
10 354 |
|
332 888 |
|
8 458 |
|
271 931 |
| Other PGMs |
1 617 |
|
51 987 |
|
1 313 |
|
42 214 |
| Copper (tonnes) |
864 |
|
- |
|
825 |
|
- |
| Nickel (tonnes) |
1 508 |
|
- |
|
1 352 |
|
- |
|
| |
|
|
|
| Refined precious metal sales |
F2003 |
|
F2002 |
|
|
kg |
|
oz |
|
kg |
|
oz |
|
| Platinum |
5 571 |
|
179 108 |
|
5 523 |
|
177 580 |
| Palladium |
2 771 |
|
89 086 |
|
2 699 |
|
86 758 |
| Rhodium |
645 |
|
20 744 |
|
539 |
|
17 325 |
| Gold |
187 |
|
6 009 |
|
183 |
|
5 883 |
| Total (3PGE+Au) |
9 174 |
|
294 947 |
|
8 944 |
|
287 546 |
| Other PGMs |
1 464 |
|
47 072 |
|
1 120 |
|
36 009 |
| Copper (tonnes) |
864 |
|
- |
|
825 |
|
- |
| Nickel (tonnes) |
1 508 |
|
- |
|
1352 |
|
- |
|
|
