Overview
South Africa’s lead and zinc production is sourced from three mining operations, Maranda, Pering and Black Mountain. In 2003 South Africa produced approximately 39,941 t lead metal (in concentrates) and 41,239 t zinc (in concentrates).
The Black Mountain Mine is situated in the Northern cape near Aggeneys and is owned by Anglo American. The facility produces zinc concentrate together with lead and copper concentrates, from which silver is also recovered. Anglo plans to spend $110 million on an expansion program at Black Mountain, including the sinking and equipping of a vertical shaft down to 1750 m. This expansion should extend the life of Black Mountain to past 2013. Black Mountain’s proven and probable reserves (2001) stand at 12.7 Mt grading at an average of 1.8% zinc and 4.38 % lead. In 2003 production of lead at Black Mountain lead-zinc-copper mine fell by 12% to 39,600 t and zinc output decreased by 6% to 25,900 t as a result of lower grades in the Black Hill deposit. Black Mountain is shifting the focus of mining operations to the Deeps project and the company is exploring for additional zinc reserves in the vicinity of existing mining operations.
The Pering zinc mine is located 140km north of Kimberley, near Reivilo in the North-West province. The mine attained full production in 1987 and is owned by Billiton, producing approximately 6000 t zinc per year. Ore reserves are estimated at 6.9 Mt grading at 1.98% zinc and 0.69% lead. The mine is expected to close down at the end of 2002, as ore reserves are being depleted and no additional reserves have been located after an extensive regional exploration program.
The Maranda mine is situated in the Limpopo Province and attained full production in 1992. Maranda is owned by Metorex and produces approximately 23 000t of zinc (in concentrate) each year. Production is expected to increase, based on additional ore reserves. As of mid 2001, Maranda’s proven and probable reserves stood at 305 000 t grading 15.3% zinc and 1.5% copper (using a cut-off grade of 9.5% zinc).
Most of South Africa’s annual production of zinc concentrates is refined by the Zinc Corporation of South Africa in Gauteng, which is being upgraded to a capacity of 120/130 kt a year, sufficient for South Africa’s requirements for the immediate future. Billiton and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) are investigating the establishment of a 200/250 kt a year refinery on the Eastern Cape coast at Coega, near Port Elizabeth. The smelter will consume imported zinc concentrates, with its zinc-metal production being earmarked for the South East Asian markets.
Organisations (10)
Exxaro Resources Limited, Anglo Base Metals, Black Mountain, Letaba Copper & Zinc Corporation Ltd, Maranda Mining Company Pty Ltd, Metorex Limited, Metorex Ltd., Pering Mine, Rio Algom Limited, Znergy (Proprietary) Limited :[ Add More ]
Facilities (250)
Afrikaner Lease, Agnes, Alpha Anthracite, Amandelbult, Arnot Colliery, Arthur Taylor Colliery, Arthur Taylor Opencast Mine (ATCOM), Atok, Avontuur, Bafokeng North, Bafokeng Rasimone, Baken, Balgarthan Colliery, Bambanani, Bank, Bankfontein Opencast, Barbrook, Beatrix, Beeshoek, Bellsbank :[ View All ]
Participating Organisations
Anglo American plc
Anglo’s only operational lead zinc mine in South Africa is Black Mountain, located in the Northern Cape province. The feasibility of the nearby Gamsberg zinc deposit has been completed, with plans to begin production.
Anglo American plc
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BHP Billiton Limited
BHP Billiton operates the Pering zinc – lead mine in the Northen Cape, which is due to close soon.
Metorex Limited
