Platreef PGM Mine
A next-generation platinum group metals mine on South Africa's Northern Limb of the Bushveld Complex.
Platreef is a large-scale underground platinum group metals (PGM), nickel, copper, and gold mine being developed by Ivanhoe Mines on the Northern Limb of the Bushveld Complex. The project is developed in three phases, with Phase 1 targeting 700,000 tonnes per annum. Shaft 1, a 996-metre production shaft, was completed in 2022, and the concentrator plant is under construction. Platreef is expected to become one of the largest PGM-producing mines in the world at full production, with an 87 Mtpa processing rate.
- 01Develop a world-class PGM-nickel-copper-gold underground mine in three phases
- 02Achieve Phase 1 production of 700,000 tonnes of ore per year
- 03Produce a diversified basket of platinum, palladium, rhodium, nickel, copper, and gold
- 04Reach full production capacity of 12 Mtpa by Phase 3 expansion
- 05Establish Platreef as a low-cost, mechanized underground operation
- 06Create significant employment and economic development in Limpopo Province
2014 · completed
Mining Right Granted
The South African government granted Ivanhoe Mines the mining right for the Platreef project.
2017 · completed
Shaft Sinking Begins
Sinking of Shaft 1, the main production shaft, commenced.
2022 · completed
Shaft 1 Completed
The 996-metre Shaft 1 was completed, becoming one of the deepest single-lift shafts in Africa.
2024 · completed
Concentrator Construction
Construction of the Phase 1 concentrator plant progressed with major structural steel erected.
2025 · in progress
Phase 1 Commissioning
Phase 1 commissioning and first concentrate production is targeted.
2028 · planned
Phase 2 Expansion
Phase 2 expansion planned to increase throughput to 4 Mtpa with Shaft 2 development.
Mineral Resource
PGM Mineral Resource
Indicated mineral resource of approximately 58.6 million ounces of platinum, palladium, rhodium, and gold (4E) plus nickel and copper.
Mining Infrastructure
Shaft 1
A 996-metre, 7.25-metre-diameter production shaft with an initial hoisting capacity of 700,000 tonnes per year.
Processing Plant
Phase 1 Concentrator
A concentrator plant designed to process 700,000 tpa of ore using milling and flotation circuits.
Future Infrastructure
Shaft 2 (Planned)
A planned second shaft to increase hoisting capacity for Phase 2 and Phase 3 expansion.
- Mechanized underground long-hole stoping
- 996-metre deep Shaft 1 hoisting system
- Concentrator with MF2 flotation technology
- Paste backfill system for mined-out stopes
- Underground trackless mechanized equipment fleet
- Advanced geological and resource modelling
What it means for the community
Platreef is expected to create over 4,000 direct jobs at full production, providing a major economic boost to the Mokopane area of Limpopo, one of South Africa's poorer provinces. Local communities hold a 26% stake through Ivanplats. The mine will diversify South Africa's PGM production beyond the traditional western Bushveld mines and supply critical metals for catalytic converters, hydrogen fuel cells, and industrial applications.
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- Ivanhoe Mines (64%)
- Government (10%)
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