Key Points
- Soweto Cluster feasibility study aims for 50,000 oz annual gold.
- Pan African targets FY2026 production of up to 250,000 oz.
- Solar and water-saving projects drive sustainability and cost savings.
Similar to the success of its Mogale Tailings Retreatment (MTR) project on the West Rand in Gauteng, Pan African Resources anticipates finishing a feasibility study for its Soweto Cluster gold recovery project by September.
Soweto Cluster feasibility study targets 50,000 oz annual gold boost
CEO Cobus Loots stated, “The performance of our MTR operation has exceeded expectations,” and that Soweto Cluster might further grow the surface mining operations of the Johannesburg- and London-listed company.
According to Pan African projections, Soweto will provide 50,000 ounces of gold per year, which would help the production increase by 16% to 215,000 ounces in FY2025.
Two possibilities are being considered by the study: a stand-alone processing facility next to the tailings storage facilities (TSFs) in Soweto, or incorporating more adjacent TSF resources to prolong the mine’s life.
By March 2025, Pan African aims to be “largely unhedged” in order to position itself for improved dividends, quicker debt reduction, and robust cash flow.
With the exception of output from its recently purchased Tennant Consolidated Mining Group in Australia, the business plans to produce between 235,000 and 250,000 ounces in FY2026.
MTR is expected to produce 33,000 ounces in FY2025, with plans to increase throughput capacity to 1 million tons per month, add reactors, and install two carbon-in-leach tanks to increase yearly production to 60,000 ounces.
Underground mining advances at Evander and Barberton Mines
While Barberton Tailings Retreatment anticipates 7,000 to 8,000 ounces in half-year output after a six-and-a-half-year mine-life extension, the Elikhulu Tailings Retreatment Plant is on target to produce 52,000 ounces this year.
According to Mining weekly, the production ramp-up delays at 8 Shaft have been fixed, and in December, a new sub-vertical hoisting shaft at Evander Mines will be operational, boosting the daily hoisting capacity to 700 tons.
High-grade sections on the 262 platform will be developed by Barberton Mines, and access is anticipated by Q3 of FY2025. High-grade reserves below 41 Level were confirmed by underground tests at Consort, and production is anticipated to reach 73,000 ounces in FY2025.
With the commissioning of massive solar plants at Evander and Barberton, Pan African has led the way in the mining industry’s adoption of renewable energy.
Starting full production in October 2024, the 8.75 MWAC Barberton solar project produces 1.1 GWh per month, saving R36 million yearly and reducing emissions by 1,000 tons of CO2 equivalent.
A recycling system that produces three million liters per day is part of Evander’s water conservation efforts, which have saved R8.8 million since November 2023. By 2026, the capacity is expected to rise to 6 million liters per day.
