Quantifying PGMs from waste streams

SFA has constructed a detailed mass balance covering all the South African PGM mines, enabling us to calculate the amount of PGMs produced on an annual basis for each metallurgical process in concentrators, smelters, base metals refiners and precious metals refiners, as well as estimate secondary production and typical chemical assay from each process, where possible. We can highlight where secondary materials from each process are likely to be treated and indicate any potential export restrictions or trade agreements related to secondary leach concentrate from South Africa. Our PGM waste steams report covers:

• The current PGM processing landscape in South Africa alongside waste/recycle streams.

• Calculation of tails volumes and grade mine operation and processing plant type, and indicate how these have changed over time based on the changing throughput feeds of Merensky and UG2 ore.

• Provision of historical and current tailings retreatment strategies by PGM producer.

• Typical analysis of flotation tails from Merensky and UG2 ore by metal type

• Treatment options for Merensky and UG2 tails.

• Typical analysis of smelter slag grades.

• BMR selenium and tellurium residue grades and treatment options.

• PRM residues and treatment options.

• High-level quantification of contained PGMs by metal type from old tailings dams (estimated surface area and height and tailings grade by metal type).

• Value addition of chromite concentrate from UG2 tailings, and forecast growth.

• Processing plant capacities and utilisation for concentrators, smelters and refineries.