Scope and infrastructure

Northam Platinum conducts underground mining operations, exploiting two reefs – the Merensky and UG2 Reefs – via a twin shaft system at depths varying between 1 294 and 2 215 metres below surface. Mining activities are driven by hydropowered equipment, a technological innovation which was pioneered by Northam, and which has now become common practice in deep-level mines. Over the years Northam has refined this technology, the use of which holds significant environmental benefits in the working areas where the water, pumped from surface and cooled to 5°C provides both positional cooling and powers the equipment.

Surface infrastructure comprises two concentrator plants (for both Merensky and UG2 ore), a smelter and base metals removal plant (BMR) where copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni) are extracted from the high grade PGM concentrate. Final PGM concentrate is transported to a precious metals refinery in Germany operated by WC Heraeus GmbH (Heraeus).

Northam markets its metals to an established customer base in the major economic centres of the world including North America, Europe and Japan. The company is known as a reliable and independent supplier of metals of London and Zurich ‘good delivery’ status.

The total number of employees involved in both underground and surface operations is 8 278 (6 686 full time and 1 592 contractors).