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The following amendments have been made to the
Results of Updated Mineral Resource Estimates for Northern
Limb Mineral Assets announcement released by Sylvania
Platinum Limited on 16 February 2024 at 07:00 under RNS No
4183D.
In Tables 1 and 3 on the far right side of the
tables, Cu and Ni were incorrectly quoted as (g/t) instead of
(%) These have all been corrected to (%). All other details
remain unchanged. The full amended text is shown below.
19 February
2024
Sylvania Platinum Limited
("Sylvania", the "Company" or the
"Group")
Results of Updated Mineral Resource
Estimates for Northern Limb Mineral Assets
Sylvania (AIM:SLP), the platinum
group metals ("PGM") producer and developer with assets in South
Africa, is pleased to announce the updated Mineral Resource
Estimates ("MRE") for its Volspruit Project located on the Northern
Limb of the Bushveld Complex in South Africa.
The results include revised MREs for the
Volspruit North and Volspruit South ore bodies, including for
rhodium ("Rh") and ruthenium ("Ru"), both of which had previously
not been assayed. The MRE is in line with the JORC (2012) Standard
as a whole.
Highlights
Volspruit North
· Volspruit North JORC MRE (Indicated):
o 16.42 million tonnes ("Mt") at a 4E
(4E includes platinum ("Pt"), palladium ("Pd"), Rh and gold ("Au"))
grade of 2.52 grams per tonne ("g/t");
o 1.33
million 4E ounces at a
grade of 2.52 g/t;
o 21.94 million pounds ("lb") of copper ("Cu") at a grade of
0.07%;
o 61.50 million lb of nickel ("Ni") at a grade of 0.18%;
o The
MRE represents a 10% increase in the indicated tonnage from the
previously reported MRE (October 2022) resulting from a more
defined geological modelling exercise that has also resulted in the
4E grade improving by 4%; and
o The
addition of Rh estimates has improved the overall grade by
approximately 7%.
Volspruit South
· Volspruit South JORC MRE (Inferred):
o 10.60 Mt at 4E grade of 2.11 g/t;
o 14.83 million lb of Cu at a grade of 0.06%;
o 46.96 million lb of Ni at a grade of 0.20%;
o This
MRE is the first one completed since the mineralised zones have
been redefined and, as expected, it reports approximately a third
of the tonnages at almost double the grades previously reported by
Integrated Geological Solutions (Pty) Ltd ("IGS") in
2012.
Next Steps
The Company has embarked on a
Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") of the Volspruit Project in
order to assess what value the addition of the Volspruit South
resources, and the Rh and Ru resources might add to the overall
project. Metallurgical test work is being undertaken on fresh core
that was drilled during the course of the 2023 calendar year. Based
on the results of the scoping study and metallurgical test work
that is expected during Q4 FY2024 a decision will be made on
progressing the project to a pre-feasibility study phase during
FY2025.
Jaco Prinsloo, CEO of Sylvania, commented:
"I am pleased to announce the successful completion of the
Mineral Resource Estimate update at our Volspruit Project,
facilitated by Earthlab Technical Division, a South African
geological consulting company. The exploration results align with
our strategic goals, emphasising the importance of exploration
assets as a key driver for Sylvania Platinum's growth
strategy.
"The updated geological model reveals a notable 10% increase
in the Volspruit North MRE compared to the October 2022
publication, accompanied by improved overall grades. These
enhancements result from a more constrained geological model based
on interpreted mineralised zones.
"Our commitment to meeting investment and workstream
requirements for existing Mining Rights remains steadfast, with
specialist teams actively working on authorisations, including the
Water Use Licence, Environmental Impact Assessment update, and
finalisation of the amended Social and Labour
Plan.
"The previously declared Measured Resources for Volspruit
North were downgraded to the Indicated category as a result of the
short-range variability between closely spaced boreholes being
highlighted during the reef redefining exercise. This serves to
demonstrate that while our understanding of the resource is
improving, we are also able to identify where future efforts will
need to be focussed. Resources for Volspruit South are
currently categorised as Inferred due to structural complexity and
sparse drilling data.
"In conclusion, the updated Mineral Resource Estimates
demonstrate the positive impact of our optimisation efforts at the
Volspruit Project. We are optimistic about the future value these
results will bring to our stakeholders and are committed to further
exploration activities in FY2024 to unlock additional value from
our existing mining rights. We anticipate sharing further updates
in the near future."
Further Information
The Volspruit PGM-Ni-Cu Project located within
the Northern Limb of the Bushveld Igneous Complex in South Africa
is covered by approved Mining Rights held by Sylvania.
Volspruit Project
The Company initiated a Mineral Resource Estimate update with the assistance of
Earthlab Technical Division ("Earthlab"), a mining and exploration
consulting company, at the Volspruit Project. The primary objective
was to apply the revised definition of the mineralised zones to the
historic borehole core to better define the Volspruit North
resource estimate and redefine the Volspruit South resource
estimate. Statistical regression techniques were utilised to
estimate the Rh and Ru content of both ore bodies.
The newly defined geological model shows an
increase of 10% on the previously published MRE in October 2022 for
Volspruit North as well as an improvement of the overall grades.
These improvements are the result of the more constrained
geological model defined by the interpreted mineralised zones. The
historical MRE for Volspruit South was reduced significantly in
terms of tonnage, however, the improvement in the overall grade
warrants the remodelling and highlights the fact that mineralised
zones do exist within the larger low-grade ore body that had
previously been modelled.
Rh and Ru values were estimated for both ore
bodies after statistical analysis proved a strong relationship
between Pt, Pd and Au, and Rh and Ru values. This allowed for
regression methods to be utilised to estimate these missing values.
It should be noted that regression techniques are commonly utilised
and are based on a smaller set of samples that have been analysed
for the missing elements to which a relationship is then
established. The improvement to the overall grades is in line with
expectations.
We continue to meet the investment and
workstream requirements relating to the permits under the existing
Mining Right, with specialist technical teams currently working on
the authorisations. These authorisations include the Water Use
Licence for the mining and on-site processing of the ore, updating
of the Environmental Impact Assessment and the finalisation of the
amended Social and Labour Plan ("SLP") which will update the Local
Economic Development ("LED") project that is included in the Mining
Right held by the Company.
Mineral Resource Estimate
Tables 1 and 3 show the Volspruit North and
Volspruit South mineral resource tons and grades respectively in
g/t of Pt, Pd, Rh, and Au, summed up as 4E grade, as well as Ru in
g/t and Cu and Ni as percentages. The tons and the metal content
are reported on a 100% attributable basis for all the PGMs and Base
Metals (Tables 2 and 4). The tables furthermore divide the tons,
ounces, and contained base metals into two Resource Classifications
for Volspruit North and one Resource Classification for Volspruit
South as per the JORC Code (2012). The categories in decreasing
confidence levels are Measured, Indicated and Inferred categories.
No Measured resources have been declared.
A significantly large proportion of the 4E oz
(93%) of Volspruit North reports to the Indicated category. The
Inferred Mineral Resources are attributed to faulting resulting in
areas of structural complexity and less geological confidence as
well as limited drilling closer to the Nyl River. The previously
declared Measured resources were downgraded to the Indicated
category as a result of short-range variability being observed
between the closely spaced boreholes. This serves to highlight that
whilst our understanding of the ore body continues to improve
through these relogging exercises, areas requiring additional
information are being highlighted allowing us to focus future
drilling programmes.
At this stage, the entire Volspruit South
resource reports to the Inferred category due to the high
structural complexity observed in the area coupled with sparse
drilling data.
Table 1: Volspruit North Mineral Resources and
grades at a 100% attributable basis
Mineral Resource Class
|
Tonnage (t)
|
Pt (g/t)
|
Pd (g/t)
|
Rh (g/t)
|
Ru (g/t)
|
Au (g/t)
|
4E (g/t)
|
Cu (%)
|
Ni (%)
|
Indicated
|
16,418,975
|
1.09
|
1.22
|
0.16
|
0.05
|
0.05
|
2.52
|
0.07
|
0.18
|
Inferred
|
1,225,236
|
1.07
|
1.17
|
0.15
|
0.05
|
0.06
|
2.45
|
0.07
|
0.18
|
Total
|
17,644,211
|
1.09
|
1.22
|
0.16
|
0.05
|
0.05
|
2.52
|
0.07
|
0.18
|
Table 2: Volspruit North Mineral Resources and
metal content at a 100% attributable basis
Mineral Resource Class
|
Tonnage(t)
|
Pt (oz)
|
Pd (oz)
|
Rh (oz)
|
Ru (oz)
|
Au (oz)
|
4E (oz)
|
Cu (lb)
|
Ni (lb)
|
Indicated
|
16,418,975
|
576,117
|
646,494
|
83,842
|
26,333
|
28,447
|
1,334,900
|
21,944,617
|
61,489,452
|
Inferred
|
1,225,236
|
42,249
|
46,015
|
5,949
|
1,907
|
2,229
|
96,442
|
1,908,803
|
4,712,494
|
Total
|
17,644,211
|
618,366
|
692,509
|
89,791
|
28,240
|
30,676
|
1,431,342
|
23,853,420
|
66,201,946
|
Table 3: Volspruit
South Body Mineral Resources and grades at a 100% attributable
basis
Mineral Resource Class
|
Tonnage (t)
|
Pt (g/t)
|
Pd (g/t)
|
Rh (g/t)
|
Ru (g/t)
|
Au (g/t)
|
4E (g/t)
|
Cu (%)
|
Ni (%)
|
Inferred
|
10,597,928
|
1.08
|
0.87
|
0.11
|
0.05
|
0.05
|
2.11
|
0.06
|
0.20
|
Total
|
10,597,928
|
1.08
|
0.87
|
0.11
|
0.05
|
0.05
|
2.11
|
0.06
|
0.20
|
Table 4: Volspruit South Mineral Resources and
metal content at a 100% attributable basis
Mineral Resource Class
|
Tonnage (t)
|
Pt (oz)
|
Pd (oz)
|
Rh (oz)
|
Ru (oz)
|
Au (oz)
|
4E (oz)
|
Cu (lb)
|
Ni (lb)
|
Inferred
|
10,597,928
|
367,832
|
298,062
|
37,052
|
16,851
|
15,876
|
718,822
|
14,829,588
|
46,964,037
|
Total
|
10,597,928
|
367,832
|
298,062
|
37,052
|
16,851
|
15,876
|
718,822
|
14,829,588
|
46,964,037
|
Notes relevant to all Mineral Resource
tables:
· Rounding of numbers may lead to computational discrepancies;
· Mineral Resources are reported as in-situ, without any
dilution from immediate hanging wall or footwall waste;
· A 10%
geological loss factor has been applied to the tonnages;
· A
cut-off grade of 1.2g/t (4E) was applied at a sample level; no
cut-off grade was applied at the block model level.
CONTACT DETAILS
For
further information, please contact:
|
|
Jaco Prinsloo CEO Lewanne Carminati
CFO
|
+27 11 673 1171
|
Nominated Adviser and Broker
|
|
Liberum Capital Limited
|
+44 (0) 20 3100 2000
|
Richard Crawley / Scott
Mathieson
|
Communications
|
|
BlytheRay
|
+44 (0) 20 7138 3205
|
Tim Blythe / Megan Ray
|
sylvania@BlytheRay.com
|
|
|
CORPORATE
INFORMATION
Registered and postal address:
|
Sylvania Platinum Limited
|
|
Clarendon House
|
|
2 Church Street
|
|
Hamilton HM 11
|
|
Bermuda
|
SA
Operations postal address:
|
PO Box 976
|
|
Florida Hills, 1716
|
|
South Africa
|
Sylvania Website:
www.sylvaniaplatinum.com
About Sylvania Platinum
Limited
Sylvania Platinum is a lower-cost
producer of platinum group metals (PGM) (platinum, palladium and
rhodium) with operations located in South Africa. The Sylvania Dump
Operations (SDO) comprises six chrome beneficiation and PGM
processing plants focusing on the retreatment of PGM-rich chrome
tailings materials from mines in the Bushveld Igneous Complex. The
SDO is the largest PGM producer from chrome tailings re-treatment
in the industry. Additionally, the Thaba JV comprises chrome
beneficiation and PGM processing plants, which will treat a
combination of run of mine (ROM) and historical chrome tailings
from the JV partner, adding a full margin chromite concentrate
revenue stream. The Group also holds mining rights for PGM projects
in the Northern Limb of the Bushveld Complex.
For more information visit
https://www.sylvaniaplatinum.com/
The information contained within
this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside
information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU)
no.596/2014 as amended by the Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit)
Regulations 2019.
For the purposes of MAR and Article
2 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1055, this
announcement is being made on behalf of the Company by Jaco
Prinsloo.
In accordance with the AIM Rules -
Note for Mining and Oil & Gas Companies, the information
contained in this announcement has been reviewed and signed off by
Mr. Deon du Plessis, a qualified professional Geologist
(Pr.Sci.Nat. - 400050/05) and Fellow with the Geological Society of
South Africa (FGSSA - 963338), who has over 21 years' relevant
experience within the mining sector.
ANNEXURE
GLOSSARY OF TERMS - Results of Optimisation Studies for
Northern Limb Mineral Assets The following definitions apply
throughout the announcement:
MRE
|
Mineral Resource Estimate - The
process of subjecting known geological evidence and knowledge
required for the estimation of Mineral Resources, and must include
sampling data of a type, and at spacings, appropriate to the
geological, chemical, physical, and mineralogical complexity of the
mineral occurrence, for all classifications of Inferred, Indicated
and Measured Mineral Resources. A Mineral Resource cannot be
estimated in the absence of sampling information. Any adjustment
made to the data for the purpose of making the Mineral Resource
estimate, for example by cutting or factoring grades, should be
clearly stated and described in the Public Report.
|
3E PGMs
|
3E ounces include the
precious metal elements platinum, palladium and gold
|
4E PGMs
|
4E ounces include the
precious metal elements platinum, palladium, rhodium and
gold
|
Feasibility Study
|
A comprehensive technical and
economic study of the selected development option for a mineral
project that includes appropriately detailed assessments of
applicable Modifying Factors together with any other relevant
operational factors and detailed financial analysis that are
necessary to demonstrate at the time of reporting that extraction
is reasonably justified (economically mineable). The results of the
study may reasonably serve as the basis for a final decision by a
proponent or financial institution to proceed with, or finance, the
development of the project. The confidence level of the study will
be higher than that of a Pre-Feasibility Study.
|
Geoloss
|
A geological loss is an area or
volume with no reef or ore developed due to disruption by a
geological feature. Geological loss is expressed as a percentage by
which a Mineral Resource is discounted and is based on the
geological condition of an orebody. There are two types termed
"Known" and "Unknown" losses. Mineral Resources are discounted by
the total geological losses. A Known geological loss is
known/expected before mining takes place, and is often indicated by
remote sensing, or is the extension of a feature, which has been
exposed by current mining activities. These types of geological
features are in general occurrences of a linear type of features
(examples include faults, dykes, shear zones, and other localised
features). Unknown geological losses are generally associated with
those features which have not been determined by various
geophysical techniques.
|
Indicated
|
An 'Indicated Mineral Resource' is
that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity, grade (or
quality), densities, shape and physical characteristics are
estimated with sufficient confidence to allow the application of
Modifying Factors in sufficient detail to support mine planning and
evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. Geological
evidence is derived from adequately detailed and reliable
exploration, sampling and testing gathered through appropriate
techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits,
workings and drill holes, and is sufficient to assume geological
and grade (or quality) continuity between points of observation
where data and samples are gathered. An Indicated Mineral Resource
has a lower level of confidence than that applying to a Measured
Mineral Resource and may only be converted to a Probable
Ore Reserve.
|
Inferred
|
An 'Inferred Mineral Resource' is
that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity and grade (or
quality) are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence
and sampling. Geological evidence is sufficient to imply but not
verify geological and grade (or quality) continuity. It is based on
exploration, sampling and testing information gathered through
appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches,
pits, workings and drill holes. An Inferred Mineral Resource has a
lower level of confidence than that applying to an Indicated
Mineral Resource and must not be converted to an Ore Reserve. It is
reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources
could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with
continued exploration.
|
JORC
|
Joint Ore Reserves Committee - The
Australian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral
Resources and Ore Reserves ('the
JORC Code') is a professional code of practice that sets minimum
standards for Public Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral
Resources and Ore Reserves.
|
Measured
|
A 'Measured Mineral Resource' is
that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity, grade (or
quality), densities, shape, and physical characteristics are
estimated with confidence sufficient to allow the application of
Modifying Factors to support detailed mine planning and final
evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. Geological
evidence is derived from detailed and reliable exploration,
sampling and testing gathered through appropriate techniques from
locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill
holes, and is sufficient to confirm geological and grade (or
quality) continuity between points of observation where data and
samples are gathered. A Measured Mineral Resource has a higher
level of confidence than that applying to either an Indicated
Mineral Resource or an Inferred Mineral Resource. It may be
converted to a Proven Ore Reserve or under
certain circumstances to a Probable Ore Reserve.
|
PGM-Ni-Cu
|
Platinum Group Elements, Nickel and
Copper
|
Resource
Classification
|
Defined as classes or categories as
per the JORC Code (2012) in decreasing confidence levels as
Measured, Indicated and Inferred.
|
Scoping Study
|
An order of magnitude technical and
economic study of the potential viability of Mineral Resources. It
includes appropriate assessments of realistically assumed Modifying
Factors together with any other relevant operational factors that
are necessary to demonstrate at the time of reporting that progress
to a Pre-Feasibility Study can be
reasonably justified.
|