Braemore Resources will expand the ConRoast smelting facility at Mintek in South Africa in a move that would enable the production of up to 70,000 oz of platinum group metals.

The smelter capacity will be increased to 3.2MW and the expansion is expected to be completed during September at a cost of R33 million.

Leon Coetzer, Chief Executive Officer of the firm, said that the upgrade was a "significant" step in bringing the ConRoast technology into full production.

"Small scale roasting and smelting tests on a range of PGM concentrates have now been satisfactorily demonstrated, and the trial converting tests of the PGM alloy have been successful," he explained.

Since October 2007 Braemore Resources has smelted 8,279 tonnes of low PGM, high chromium content and produced 15,000 oz of PGMs.

Production is expected to reach 20,000 oz by the end of the year.

According to the firm, most of the material has been sold via sales contracts for the delivery of smelted PGM alloy to international refiners and South African PGM producers.

Source:



Expansion of Braemore smelting facility on track, 13/08/08
http://www.braemoreresources.com/im/press_display.php?Id=2008/13aug08