Braemore Resources confirmed today (8th May) that its enlarged 3.2MW smelter at Mintek produced 10,574 oz pgm during the first quarter of 2009, Mining Weekly reports.

The figures showed that the smelter - which can produce around 70,000 oz pgm per year in an iron-nickel alloy - achieved the output at a recovery rate of 99.13 per cent from its high-chrome-content concentrate.

In addition, the South African miner revealed that since the ConRoast facility was commissioned for expansion in October 2008, it has produced a total of 17,609 oz pgm.

The furnace was damaged by a minor incident during March but output for the month was 3,777 oz pgm with chrome content as high as 5.19 per cent, while production for the financial year to date is 19,053 oz pgm.

Braemore Chief Executive Officer Leon Coetzer told the news provider: "The smelter is being carefully monitored and throughput is being gradually built up towards achieving our yearly pgm production targets."

Meanwhile, the company has also announced that it intends to 'hot-commission' its first major smelter by 2010 and that it is assessing the size of the furnace in relation to current pgm industry trends.

"We are very fortunate that our technology has proven it is modular and can, therefore, be scaled according to market demand," Executive Corporate Development Director David Russell told Mining Weekly.

"The company has not yet concluded the size or number as this will be dictated by the demand for the technology."

Mr Coetzer also noted that the ConRoast technology has significantly reduced sulphur dioxide emissions during the pgm smelting process.

Source:

ConRoast smelter achieves 99% recovery rate (08/05/09)

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