Sibanye-Stillwater kicks off production ahead of schedule
Production has commenced at Sibanye-Stillwater's Blitz project in Montana, USA, following completion of the final infrastructure requirement, a secondary escape-way system at the Blitz 10 stope block.
Approximately 1,360 tonnes of ore that was excavated during development and stockpiled on surface will now be processed. Based on muck sampling along the entire 115-ft of ore width intersected within the stope block, this initial cut delivered ore with an estimated average 2E grade of 1.15 oz/ton (39 g/tonne).
“The integration of the US operations since acquisition in May 2017, has been pleasing. The operations continue to deliver as anticipated and first production from Blitz is more than three months ahead of schedule,” said Neal Froneman, CEO of Sibanye-Stillwater.
“Initial ore intersected and excavated from the Blitz project, is significantly higher grade than the average Stillwater Mine combined proven and probable 2E reserve grade of 0.57 oz/ton (19.55 g/tonne), and is an indication of the quality of the Blitz project.”
Blitz is expected to reach full production of approximately 300,000oz (2E) by late 2021/early 2022, increasing total 2E PGM production from the US operations by more than 50% to approximately 850,000oz.
The increased production is expected to further reduce unit operating costs of the US operations. “Delivery of low cost, production growth into a robust price environment, supported by long-term palladium fundamentals in our view, is what underpinned our decision to acquire Stillwater. The early commissioning of Blitz has confirmed our view that the US operations will deliver significant value to Sibanye-Stillwater in future”, said Froneman.
