Production has started at several of the new decline shafts at
Impala Platinum’s lease area, in Rustenburg, North West Province,
reports new Implats CEO Keith Rumble, who has taken over from the
retired John Smithies.
Rumble confirms that the development of the five decline shafts and
vertical shaft that will link up with 12 Shaft are progressing
according to schedule.
The projects, which total some R4-billion, form part of Impala’s
strategy to maintain production at the one-million-ounce level
until 2030 at an affordable yearly capital cost.
Impala Platinum senior consultguillotine breaker for concrete in europeing engineer: operations Gert
Ackerman details that work on One Shaft is on track.
The project was launched in 1997, with production from the first
level having started last year. Rock weakness led to some
modifications to this decline, which will now consist of four
levels as opoman flour mills company problemsposed to six.
However, the company reports that this will not hamper production
as the change in programme will enable mining to start earlier than
planned.
It is expected that full production at this shaft will be reached
in 2004.
Development of the Ten Shaft decline, on the otmobile stone crushing equipment distributors indiaher hand, started in
1993.
Mining at the triple-decline system started in 1997, with
production already taking place at the first three levels.
Development of the final level station is in progress and the
project is expected to be completed by October.
Sinking started at the triple-decline 11 Shaft in 1999.
Stoping is scheduled to start in 2002, with full production
expected to be reached in 2007.
The ventilation shaft has been commissioned and sinking of the
second downcast worker-and- material shaft will start this
year.
Start-up development of 12 Shaft South – a three-level
twin-shaft decline – is in its advanced stages.
The first level was accessed in March 2001 and full production is
expected to be reached in 2004.
Work on 12 Shaft North started in the same year, with the system
consisting of a downcast man-and-material shaft and an upcast
ventilation shaft.
Ackerman reports that the company intends implementing mechanised
mining at the shaft, which will include using trackless machinery
and conveyor belts for moving ore.
The first ore from the project is expected to be processed in
2004.
The 14 Shaft project, which is expected to be completed in 2006,
involves the development of a five-level decline and the upgrading
of infrastructure for increased tonnages.
Development started in 1999, with shaftsinking of a vertical
ventilation shaft under way.
In addition, the company reports that it will continue to dedicate
significant attention and resources to its metallurgical
operations, announcing a capital expenditure programme to the value
of R280-million this year for concentrating and smelting.
This figure will be reduced to R100-million in 2002.