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Platmin (PPN:TSX, AIM) is incorporated in Canada as a mineral exploration company focused on the exploration and 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.
Platmin’s goal is to become a significant producer of PGMs through the development and operation of several key projects into mines. All four of Platmin’s 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 PGM resources as well as some 80% of its chrome. Approximately 55% of Global PGM production and more than 70% of platinum production currently comes from this Bushveld Complex of South Africa. Platmin’s experienced team and quality PGM projects, present both a development pipeline and growth potential, positioning the company to become an important independent producer of PGMs over the next few years.
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
In April 2007, Platmin announced an updated Mineral Resource estimate for Tuschenkomst of 66.8 million tonnes (Mt) at 2.09 g/t 3PGE+Au for a total of 4.49 Moz and for Ruighoek of 12.0 Mt at 3.07 g/t 3PGE+Au for a total of 1.18 Moz. The Tuschenkomst Mineral Resource is within the Measured and Indicated categories and is based on bulk mining from the top of the Merensky to the base of the Lower Pseudo Reef (the “silicate ore”) and selectively mining the UG2 Reef. This silicate ore horizon includes up to four PGE reefs with some discordant mineralization present in the parting material. The Indicated Mineral Resource estimate on the Ruighoek property assumes all reefs will be selectively mined. These Indicated and Measured Mineral Resources form the basis of the Pilanesberg feasibility study which was announced in July 2007. Additional Inferred Mineral Resources that have been defined on the Witkleifontein and the Rooderand (Portion 3) properties as well as deeper portions of the Ruighoek property have not been included in the feasibility study.
Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves of the Pilanesberg project are attributable to Platmin by virtue of its 72.39% ownership in Boynton as summarised.
Grootboom Project
Independent consultancy Minxcon has been appointed to lead a pre-feasibility study on the Grootboom project. Boynton, Platmin’s operating subsidiary in South Africa has lodged a mining right application for the Grootboom 336KT property and a separate application for the PGMs contained in the tailings dam on the property. Both applications were accepted by the South African Department of Minerals and Energy and it is expected that these mining rights will be granted in December of 2008.
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
The Mineral Resource is being re-assessed in the light of additional drilling, and a concept study to assess the potential for underground mining has been completed. A decision to proceed with a pre-feasibility study which may include bulk sampling is pending. Platmin has budgeted approximately US$0.15 million for exploration, bulk sampling and metallurgical test work on Rietfontein. Lonmin itself is exploring the De Wagendrift area, aiming for Mineral Resource delineation.
Other Projects
Golden Valley
The Golden Valley farm is located approximately 3.5km west of the town of Magaliesburg in the Gauteng Province and 20km west of the city of Krugersdorp.
Previous exploration by Anglo American plc (‘‘Anglo American’’) in the 1970s defined a highly altered, oval-shaped body that is differentiated into an upper orthopyroxenite (now a tremolite-actinolite-talc chlorite rock) overlying a lower peridotite layer (now completely serpentinized). Anglo American estimated an ‘‘inferred’’ resource in 1976 for Golden Valley ; however, this resource does not comply with NI 43-101 or Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy reporting requirements. A subsidiary of Platmin holds the converted Prospecting Right over Golden Valley. A drilling program is currently underway on the Property.
Oorlogsfontein
Oorlogsfontein is located approximately 8km southwest of the town of Mokopane in the Limpopo Province. Mokopane provides a full spectrum of local and urban infrastructure.
Platmin’s interest in Oorlogsfontein is pursuant to an agreement with Platinum Group Metals (RSA) (Pty) Ltd. (PTM) and Africa Wide Investments. Platmin’s subsidiary has a 15% free carried interest in Oorlogsfontein (called "War Springs" by PTM) until a full bankable feasibility study is completed by PTM on the property. Platmin has a beneficial 5.4% in Oorlogsfontein. After PTM has completed a full bankable feasibility study on the Oorlogsfontein property each party to the agreement may elect to contribute to further expenditure on the property pro-rata to their participation interest or to convert to a net profits interest of two percent.
Eighteen drillholes were completed by PTM at Oorlogsfontein by end of May, 2005 (7,433m of drilling). A total of 8,188 samples were collected for the determination of the following elements: Pt, Pd, Au, Cu, Ni, and Co. The mineralization zones are reported to be up to 12m thick with a range of 2PGE+Au grades up to 3.67 g/t. An Inferred Mineral Resource of 29.6 million tonnes of 1.03 g/t of 2PGE+Au resulting in 980,000 ounces has been estimated at Oorlogsfontein, of which approximately 60,000 ounces is attributable to Platmin.
Rietfontein 338JQ
Rietfontein 338JQ is situated approximately 15km south east of the city of Rustenburg close to the major arterial toll road between Pretoria and Rustenburg (N4). The area is well served by platinum mining infrastructure due to the proximity of the large platinum mines of Anglo Platinum, Impala and Lonmin.
There is an operating underground chromite mine on the property, owned by Rustenburg Chrome Mines, and an open-pit mine west of the option area which is also exploiting chromite. West of the option area, but within the Rietfontein farm boundary, there are a number of mini-pits exploiting chromitite layers which outcrop in the northern portion of the farm.
Previous work that has been conducted over the property includes regional mapping by the Council for Geoscience, on which the published geological and metallurgical sheets were based, as well as regional aeromagnetic and gravity surveys that now form part of the public domain data set. Limited exploration including reconnaissance mapping and grab sampling has been done on the property by Platmin.
Platmin's subsidiary Boynton holds a converted prospecting right for the Rietfontein 338JQ property.
Scheiding
The Scheiding property is situated some 80km south of Polokwane in the Limpopo Province. The area is served by platinum mining infrastructure due to the property being immediately adjacent to Lebowa Platinum Mines of Anglo Platinum. Polokwane provides a full spectrum of local and urban infrastructure. Platmin's subsidiary Boynton has an option to purchase certain mineral rights in Scheiding.
Drilling on the property has confirmed the presence of both the Merensky Reef and UG2 Chromitite Layer in a structurally complex setting.
South Africa
| Board: | |
| Rupert Pardoe | Chairman |
| Kwape Mmela | Chief Strategic Officer |
| Ian Watson | CEO |
| Keith Liddell | Deputy Executive Chairman |
| Ronald Little | Non-Executive Director |
| Peter Ruxton | Non Executive Director |
| Jay Kellerman | Non Executive Director |
Company Address6 EcoFusion Office Park
|
Additional Address/Key ContactMailing address |
CapitalCommon Shares – 99,534,871
|
Annual General MeetingAugust | Year End28 February |
Nominated BrokersJoint: RBC Capital Markets & Haywood Securities (UK) Limited | Nominated AdvisorsGrant Thornton Corporate Finance (Nomad) |
| CDC (Actis) | 13.03% |
| Lonmin PLC | 21.11% |
| Karrick Trust (Mittal) | 17.42% |
| Mineral Securities | 17.69% |