Unki production increased 2 percent
Despite mining through higher internal waste areas, platinum group metals (PGM) production at AngloAmerican-owned Unki Mine in Shurungwi increased by 2 per cent during the first half year compared to the same period last year, Anglo American Platinum Limited (Amplats) PGMs Production Report for the second quarter ending 30 June 2023 shows.
Rudairo Mapuranga
The mine’s total PGM production during the half year of 2023 was 121 500 ounces compared to 119 600 ounces produced during the period 1 January to 30 June of 2022.
However, Unki PGM production decreased by 11 per cent to 59,000 ounces against 66 300 ounces produced during the comparable period of 2022. The decreased production was a result of mining through planned higher internal waste areas.
The PGM also took a 6 percent decrease during the second quarter of 2023 compared to the first quarter of 2023 where production was at 62 500 ounces.
Amplats owns Mogalakwena Mine, Amandelbult Mine, Unki Mine, Mototolo Mine, Modikwa Mine (jointly owned) and Kroondal Mine (jointly owned).
The whole of Amplats PGMs sales volumes (from production, excluding sales from trading) decreased by 8 per cent to 1,108,700 ounces due to lower refined production.
According to Amplats CEO Natascha Viljoen, total PGM production from own-managed mines decreased by 10 percent to 526,700 ounces with PGM production from Amandebult mine decreased by 19 percent to 147,900 ounces for the quarter. This was driven by short-term operational challenges at Tumela which have since been mitigated, the 2022 closure of Dishaba open pit and Merensky concentrator and continued challenging ground conditions at Dishaba.
She said PGM production at Mogalakwena mine decreased by 7 per cent to 242,400 ounces. She added saying that in line with guidance, the company continued to mine lower grades which resulted in a 7 per cent reduction in 4E built-up head grade to a guided 2.70g/t compared to 2.91g/t in Q2 2022.
Viljoen said Mototolo PGM production increased by 2 per cent to 77,400 ounces, largely due to improved grade. She added saying that Eskom load curtailment deferred own managed mines metal in concentrate production by c.21,500 ounces.
“Our total PGM production was 9 per cent lower compared to the prior period. Production was impacted mainly by short-term operational challenges and infrastructure closures at Amandelbult as well as expected lower grades at Mogalakwena. Despite mining through higher internal waste areas, Unki continues to deliver a stable tonnes output along with Mototolo.
“We delivered lower refined production of 1,073,800 PGM ounces due to our planned asset integrity program at our processing operations.
“While we continued to manage heightened Eskom load-curtailment, it impacted 29 production days for the quarter contributing to a build-up in work-in-progress inventory of c.38,900 PGM ounces.
“We remain on track to achieve our 2023 guidance, with a strong focus on demonstrating our resilience through safe, stable, and capable operations for the remainder of the year,” Viljoen said.