Impala Platinum has begun construction of the new R5.5 billion number 17 shaft at its Rustenburg mining operation.

The number 17 shaft will hoist miners, material and rock as well as acting as a ventilation shaft.

Speaking to Mining Weekly, Pierre van Jaarsveld, contracts manager at Shaft Sinkers, said that construction time for headgear was needed but it was completed efficiently.

"The operations in the shaft were only halted for the period when the different sections were moved into position, which increased time in the shaft," he explained.

The firm is expecting to have the necessary power supply to run the shaft, which could produce as much as 180,000 oz of platinum a year by 2018.

The new project will replace production from older shafts nearing the end of their mine life, reports from Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa reveal.

Number 17 shaft is located alongside number 16 shaft, which is also under construction.



Source:
Construction of platinum producer's new No 17 shaft under way in Rustenburg, 27/06/08
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