Find out more about Subscribing Companies
Unique access to energy
investors. Global distribution
of company news.
Find out more.
Sign up for our free weekly newsletter
Informed comment and independent news delivered
by email every week.
Sign up here.
Find out more about Minesite Forums
Management and investors
are brought together at our
investor forums.
Find out more.
Bulletin Board
Join other informed investors.
Debate mining companies.
Visit Bulletin Boards.
OPUS
Commodity Watch Radio
Jobs4mining
Exchange Traded Gold
Ocean Equities Ltd
Mining World Central Asia
Bullion Desk
allipo.com
Doug Casey Research
Ambrian Capital

Company Information for Platmin Limited

Company stock charts - 12 Month chart

Exchange TSX; PPN


View full financial data
Exchange AIM; PPN


View full financial data

Company Statement

Platmin: (PPN:TSX, AIM) is incorporated in Canada as a mineral exploration company that is focused on the exploration for, and working towards the development of, platinum group metal ("PGM") deposits in South Africa. Platmin is admitted to trading on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange PLC and the TSX. The rights of shareholders in Canadian incorporated companies may differ from UK incorporated companies. There are no restrictions on the transfer of company shares.

Platmin’s goal is to explore, develop and operate PGMs and associated base metals mining operations with key partners in a sustainable way, by complying to safety, health and environmental practices within the ambit of our social responsibilities.
The combination of Platmin’s high quality PGM Projects which present a Pipeline of Development and Growth Potential and its experienced team gives Platmin the edge over its peers in the industry. Platmin is well positioned to make a successful transition from advanced PGM exploration to become South Africa’s next independent PGM producer.  

Platmin Management: Platmin is lead by a highly experienced management team and Board of Directors including professional geologists, engineers and financers and metallurgists, with relevant PGM exploration, development and operating experience.

Platmin’s management team and Board of Directors is backed by a dedicated staff of several employees and consultants holding positions in operational and technical areas and administrative areas. Platmin has an extremely strong team of geologists and engineers.  

Partners: Platmin has Joint Venture agreements with, and is in business with, several major PGM Producers including Anglo Platinum on the Pilanesberg Project area, Lonmin Plc on its Loskop Project and BHP Billiton and Samancor on its Grootboom project and other areas of the PGM bearing Bushveld Complex of South Africa.

Platmin’s lead BEE partner Moepi Capital is headed by Mr. Kwape Mmela. Moepi Capital is integral to Platmin’s development and country strategy in South Africa.


Current Operations

Platmin’s four key projects – Pilanesberg, Mphahlele, Grootboom and Loskop – are located on the Bushveld Complex of South Africa, a geological structure that is estimated to contain approximately 90% of the world’s platinum resources as well as some 80% of its chrome. These strategically located projects include significant mineral resources that are highly attractive given their scale, grade, reef widths and proximity to surface as well as their particular metallurgical makeup. Platmin’s goal is to become a significant producer of PGMs through the development and operation of several mines on its Key Projects. The Key Projects comprise:

Pilanesberg Project located on the western limb of the Bushveld:

  • The positive results of the Pilanesberg Project Feasibility Study (“FS”) confirm a robust project. Platmin’s Board of Directors has given approval to proceed with the development of the project.
  • FS completed by SRK Consulting (“SRK”), based on Proven and Probable PGE Mineral Reserves totalling 4.4 million ounces (“Moz”) of 3PGEs + Au (3.2 Moz attributable to Platmin).
  • Life of Mine (“LoM”) 16 years with production planned to commence early 2009 with an average production rate of 250,000 oz/year 3PGE+Au in concentrate for the first 11 years.
  • Base Case Internal Rate of Return (“IRR”) of 21.7% in real terms and 31.3% in nominal terms (ungeared after tax).
  • Base Case Net Present Value at an 8% real discount rate (ungeared after tax) (“NPV (8%)”) of ZAR1.82 billion (US$260 million).
  • Payback period on capital of 2.5 years following first production.
  • Average operating margin of 46% over LoM.
  • Outcropping/near surface resources 
  • The presence of Ruthenium and Iridium in ores and concentrates which will be co-produced with the 3PGEs has the potential to improve project values, positively affecting the IRR and NPV of the project.
  • Engineering firm Dowding Reynard and Associates (“DRA”) has been appointed to implement the design and construction phase of the project.

In the last calendar quarter of 2007 Platmin raised capital in a public offering and private placement for gross proceeds of C$92.8 million. The offering was underwritten by a syndicate of underwriters jointly led by RBC Capital Markets and GMP Securities L.P., and including Haywood Securities Inc. The net proceeds will be used principally to advance development of the Pilanesberg Project.
M'phatlele Project located on the northern part of the eastern limb of the Bushveld:
  • Significant resource of 12.6M oz (Inf.).
  • 8 km strike length.
  • Contiguous with Lonmin’s Limpopo PGM operations (Messina).
  • Resource from near surface to 1,000m.
  • Potential for resource increase and upgrade.
  • In October 2007 Mphahlele’s Mineral Resources were revised in light of further exploratory drilling. This resulted in the upgrading of a substantial proportion of the Mineral Resource from the Inferred to the Indicated category.
  • The Mphahlele Project has a 7.9km strike of Merensky Reef and UG2 Chromitite Layer and is adjacent to Lonmin’s Limpopo Platinum operations. The revised Mineral Resource forms the basis for the pre-feasibility study currently underway on the Mphahlele Project.
  • It is expected that concentrate production from Platmin’s Pilanesberg, Mphahlele and Grootboom Projects could reach the critical mass required for consideration of an independent smelter. Platmin has budgeted approximately US$3.34 million for exploration, bulk sampling and metallurgical test work over the Mphahlele Project.

Grootboom Project located on the eastern limb of the Bushveld:
  • Near surface resources defined - 6M oz(meas & Ind), 1.7M oz(Inf).
  • 56 bore holes and 94 auger holes drilled to date.
  • High grade: 5.5g/t 3PGE+Au (Indicated), 6.1 g/t 3PGE+Au (Inferred).
  • Adjacent to Spitzkop (Eastern Platinum).
  • Focused on exploration of UG2 reef.
  • Agreement to acquire PGM rights on neighbouring Annex Grootboom.
  • Targeting mineral resource upgrades followed by an integrated feasibility study.
  • Work program budget of US$6.0 million (2 years).
  • During the 2009 financial year (February year end) an aggressive work programme is planned that includes additional drilling, bulk sampling and metallurgical testing. Budgeted expenditure for exploration and feasibility work during the 2009 financial year is approximately US$28.7 million.

Loskop Project located on the eastern limb of the Bushveld:
  • Limited historical drilling.
  • Potential for resource increase and upgrade.
  • 4.4 g/t 2PGE+Au plus base metal credits.
  • JV with Lonmin – Lonmin has right to maintain an option to acquire a 50% interest in the project.
  • Platmin expects Lonmin to undertake further drilling before commencing a pre-feasibility study.

Other Projects

Platmin’s other projects consist of various portions of the farms Golden Valley 621IQ, Rietfontein 338JQ, Scheiding 407KS (portion 2) and Oorlogsfontein 45KS. These farms are not adjacent to one another. The total area of these farms is approximately 4,591 hectares (Golden Valley 621IQ – 628ha, Oorlogsfontein 45KS – 2,396ha, Rietfontein 338JQ – 1,345ha and Scheiding 407KS portion 2 – 222ha).


Geographical Spread

South Africa


Board of Directors and Key Management

Board:
Rupert Pardoe Chairman
Ian Watson Director and CEO
Keith Liddell Deputy Executive Chairman
Ronald Little Non-Executive Director
Peter RuxtonNon Executive Director
Jay KellermanNon Executive Director
Kwape Mmela Chief Strategy Officer
Terence Holohan Chief Operating Officer

Management:
Ralf Degni Chief Financial Officer
Neil Crafford-LazarusDirector and CEO
Mark BoltonVice President Corporate Development
Jan van der Merwe Exploration Manager
Dr Paul WoolrichPilanesberg Project Manager
Claude de BruinCorporate and Legal Affairs Manager
Dave BettonOperations Manager
Shibe MatjiuInstitutional and Social Development
Jan ErasmusLegal Manager - South Africa
Cobus Brönn Group Manager - Mining
John Derbyshire Metallurgical Manager
Dean Riley Pilanesberg Platinum Mines Project Manager

Company Address

6 EcoFusion Office Park
Block B, 324 Witch-Hazel Avenue
Highveld Park X59

Centurion, South Africa, South Africa 0157

Telephone:+27 12 665 4360
Facsimile:+27 12 665 0878
Email:info[at]platmin.com
Website:http://www.platmin.com

Additional Address/Key Contact

Postal Address
PO Box 65294
Erasumsrand
0165 South Africa

Telephone: +27 12 665 4360
Facsimile: +27 12 665 0878

Capital

93,089,353 Common Shares
104,239,076 Fully Diluted

Annual General Meeting

August

Year End

28 February

Nominated Brokers

Joint: RBC Capital Markets & Haywood Securities (UK) Limited

Nominated Advisors

Grant Thornton

Major Shareholders

CDC (Actis) 30%
Lonmin PLC 22.5%
Mineral Securities 16%
African Lion 10%

Related News

18/03/08 - Platmin Hits A Sweet Spot In The Market As Pilanesberg Production Draws Near
02/08/07 - Platmin Should Have A Long And Profitable Life Ahead Of It
14/03/07 - Platmin’s Rating Benefits From Consolidation On The Bushveld

Most Recent Statement

16/10/07 - INTERIM MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
16/10/07 - New Indicated Mineral Resource Declared over M’Phatlele Project
31/08/07 - 31 August 2007 Independent technical report (43-101) filed for platmin’s Positive pilanesberg feasibility study
30/08/07 - 30 August 2007 Platmin Expands Land Position in the Bushveld Complex
30/07/07 - Platmin’s BEE partner Moepi Platinum increases stake in Boynton
31/05/07 - Final Accounts and AGM notice

To top