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Pics from topto bottom:tion testwork.The SAVMINpilot plantat Grootvleigold mine.Metallographiccharacterisationofgrindingballs.US$15 million work programme over three years, including aemerging PGM producers in South Africa.Several independent analyses have concluded that, dependingon the implementation of smelter expansions by the majorproducers and the number of new PGM projects that come onstream, the South African PGM sector will require additionalthan half of the new production will come from UG2 ores,which pose technical challenges for conventional six-in-lineparticularly for nickel, will be needed to enable the processingof Platreef ores.As part of the development programme, IPt will continue with thedemonstration work at a commercial scale (from 1 000 - 2 000tons per month) at Mintek, using a range of high-chromium PGMconcentrates.IPt is evaluating the project in terms of a smelter with a targetcapacity of 360 000 tons of concentrate per annum. The feasibilityannum), which is being conducted by engineering project house TWPSAVMIN development and licence agreementsMintek’s SAVMIN process for purifying sulphate-polluted mine drainagehas undergone two highly successful large-scale demonstrations,Negotiations are now underway to license the technology, on a non-satisfy the environmental obligations of the mining companies in the area, andpilot plant is currently underway.Iron and steelmaking projectsA study was completed for the IDC on cataloguing iron-ore resources in SouthThe results indicated that an expansion of South Africa’s steelmaking capacity tosupply some of the requirements of the increased world demand for steel couldbe feasible.testing and feasibility study services. These include:• Maputo Metallurgical Complex - a plant to produce 3 million tons per annum ofsteel and 1.5 million tons per annum of iron ore pellets using Palabora magnetite.• Coega Steel Complex - a plant to produce 3 million tons per annum of steel and 5million tons per annum of iron ore pellets using Kumba concentrate.• Northern Cape Steel - a plant to produce 3 million tons per annum of steel using• A plant to produce around 1 million tons of steel per annum using Foskor magnetite.• A plant to produce around 1 million tons per annum of iron or steel using BushveldComplex magnetite.annual report 2007 32