South Africa’s Kumba Iron Ore has given the nod to an extra investment of ZAR7.6 billion in upgrading its ore processing plant at Sishen.

The total now earmarked for installing ultra-high dense media separation (UHDMS) technology is ZAR11.2 billion, with ZAR1.8 billion already spent on engineering design, earthworks and technical review, reports Engineering News.

The plant is expected to reach full capacity in 2028 and achieve investment payback only a year later.

The technology will extend Sishen’s life-of-mine to 2038, with the possibility of extending it by another six years.

Kumba CEO Mpumi Zikalala says the UHDMS technology will increase the volume of premium iron-ore produced at Sishen to about 55%, up from the current 18%. The technology is also forecast to bump up earnings by more than a half.

10 September 2024
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