By Ukumbi Afrika South African mining company African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) has approved two major projects aimed at expanding its platinum group metals (PGMs) business and reviving nickel production, signalling renewed confidence in the mining sector despite recent commodity price volatility.
ARM's board approved the Bokoni Development Project, a phased investment that will expand the mine's processing capacity to 180,000 tonnes per month. Once fully operational, the project is expected to produce between 350,000 and 400,000 ounces of six-element platinum group metals (6E PGMs) annually at steady state.
The company also approved the restart of operations at the Nkomati nickel mine, with annual production expected to reach 56,065 tonnes of nickel concentrate at steady state. The restart follows improvements in market conditions and is expected to restore South Africa's only primary nickel producer.
The twin investments underscore ARM's long-term strategy to strengthen its position in platinum and nickel, two minerals considered important for both industrial applications and the global energy transition.
Source: Reuters