SouthernEra Resources (SUF-T) is assessing the feasibility of mining the Doornvlei section at the Messina palladium mine in the Bushveld igneous complex of South Africa.
Doornvlei sits 12 km east of the Voorspoed section, where mining is under way. Mining there began in August and is expected to provide the monthly target of 20,000 tonnes of ore to the concentrator by year-end.
At Doornvlei, indicated resources are pegged at 15.2 million tonnes grading 5.8 grams platinum group metals plus gold. An equivalent volume of material at a similar grade is classified as inferred.
Mineralization extends to 1,250 metres and is in both the Merensky and UG2 reefs, similar to the material being mined at Voorspoed. Both reefs dip steeply, but only outcrop at the Doornvlei section.
Previous owners sank an inclined shaft and a vertical one (3 metres in diameter) to a depth of 100 metres below surface. Some underground development has been done on the 50 and 100-metre levels as well.
Once SouthernEra has dewatered both shafts it will assess the underground infrastructure and mineralization. The entire study is scheduled for completion by mid-2002.
SouthernEra operates and owns a 70.4% interst in the Messina mine. It also operates and owns a half-interest in the nearby Klipspringer diamond mine.
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