JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) -JSE-listed Northam Platinum is expanding its smelting facilities in Thabazimbi, South Africa to support its planned growth in platinum group metals (PGM) production using technology from high-capacity furnace and smelting plant company Tenova Pyromet. The miner was looking to up its output by increasing the throughput of UG2 ore, which is rich in chromite and difficult to smelt, from the eastern limb of South Africa’s Bushveld Complex. The basic engineering for the 20 MW smelting furnace and ancillary systems had been completed, with the detail engineering currently under way. Tenova Pyromet’s scope on the project covered the PGM smelting furnace, feed system and offgas handling plant, as well as the furnace building and all associated civil works, infrastructure and services.
