Recent News

Booysendal Platinum Expansion Project

By Georges-Steve Mandumba, Engineering Geologist; Menzi Mabunda, Geotechnical Engineer; Thomas O’Brien, Director: ARQ Geotech (Pty) Ltd.

Northam Platinum has embarked on one of the largest expansions undertaken in the platinum sector at its Booysendal operation. The mine plans to increase its current production of 160 000 oz/year to 500 000 oz/year. The big expansion programme will focus on development of the “South Mine” situated south of the existing Booysendal North Mine. The South Mine Expansion Operation includes the development of:

•  Booysendal Central Box-Cut and associated infrastructure
•  Booysendal Central Merensky
  * BCM 1 Merensky
  * BCM 2 Merensky
•  Operations on the acquired Everest Mine.

ARQ Geotech was appointed in 2015 by DRA Global, the mine’s main Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Maintenance (EPCM) contractor, for the expansion project to provide geotechnical services.