Tharisa PLC (LSE:THS, JSE:THA, FRA:7YZ) has started cold commissioning of its Vulcan ultra-fine chrome recovery and beneficiation plant at the Tharisa Mine in the Bushveld Complex of South Africa.
The integrated resource group said it is on track to complete the construction of the new US$55mln (£40mln) plant with initial saleable production due before the end of the year.
Once fully commissioned, the mine is expected to boost its chrome recoveries from about 62% to 82%, resulting in an estimated 20% increase in chrome production and lower unit operating costs.
Vulcan was developed to extract the ultra-fine chrome from tailings, created from the processing of platinum group metals in the Bushveld Complex of South Africa.
The plant, which will process live tailings produced by the independent Voyager and Genesis plants, will ensure further beneficiation of the company's chrome production at the Tharisa Mine, while reducing carbon emissions, aligned with the company’s recently announced decarbonisation plan.
READ: Tharisa pledges to slash emissions and produce metals key to greener economies
Comprehensive testing of the entire circuit will be undertaken during the cold commissioning stage before chrome tailings material will enter the plant.
Vulcan is the first large-scale plant to produce chrome concentrates from chrome ultra-fines, consolidating Tharisa's position as a key player in the beneficiation of chrome production, the company said.
"Commissioning of the Vulcan plant perfectly exemplifies two Tharisa philosophies: challenging convention through innovation and delivering on our promise of maximising value through beneficiation of every cube mined,” said chief executive Phoevos Pouroulis.
“Vulcan provides the company with the ability to further beneficiate our product whilst staying on track to meet our decarbonisation targets, thanks to the dedicated work from Arxo Metals, that has not only delivered the Vulcan process but has also delivered further beneficiation opportunities, including metal alloys and PGM products using non-conventional methodologies."
Arxo Metals Proprietary Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tharisa.