Aim-listed investment company Kazera Global has reported that the manufacturing of a trommel screening plant at its Walviskop Heavy Mineral Sands (HMS) project, in Alexander Bay, in South Africa’s Northern Cape province, was completed in line with expectations at the end of September.
In an operational update issued on October 6, Kazera said it had also initiated optimisations to improve the performance of the trommel screening plant after carrying out extensive inspections to ensure its efficacy.
The team identified two areas of improvement to enhance the plant’s performance, which will be completed in the coming weeks ahead of final sign-off and transport to site.
The company said work was now focused on the construction of the remainder of the wet concentration plant on site, positioning the plant to start operating immediately after the granting of a National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) permit, which was expected in the first quarter of next year.
“This has been a busy period for the team, during which we have focused on optimising the various aspects of the plant to ensure we can commence production and deliver the best results possible as soon as we receive the NNR permit.
“This strategically important HMS project is expected to produce about 6 000 t a month of HMS at full production, which, given the strong demand, will at current prices achieve an estimated gross profit of about $300 000 a month,” Kazera Global CEO Dennis Edmonds said.
He said Kazera remained focused on advancing production at Walviskop, in which it held a 60% interest within its subsidiary Whale Head Minerals.