South Africa accounts for approximately 70% of global platinum supply. Platinum is a rare and valuable metal used across jewellery manufacturing, industrial applications and emission-reduction technologies. Platinum group metals also play an important role in the development of fuel cell technology.
Mmakau Mining maintains strategic interests in platinum mining through equity participation and long-term operational partnerships.
Marula Platinum is located on the eastern limb of the Bushveld Complex, approximately 35 km north-west of Burgersfort. The geological succession is broadly similar to that of the western limb and hosts two economically exploitable platinum group metal horizons within the Critical Zone: the Merensky Reef and the underlying UG2 Reef. Both reefs sub-outcrop within the lease area and dip generally in a south-south-west direction at approximately 13°, with a vertical separation of around 400 metres. The UG2 Reef is defined by a main chromitite layer containing most of the mineralisation, followed by a poorly mineralised pegmatoidal pyroxenite footwall.
Current mining activities at Marula Platinum focus exclusively on the UG2 Reef. A hybrid mining method is presently being implemented while the conventional operation is being fully established, after which a conventional breast mining method is expected to exploit the bulk of the UG2 Mineral Reserve. Potential future mining of the Merensky Reef remains subject to the completion of the current feasibility study and project approvals.
Marula Platinum holds contiguous old order mining and new order prospecting rights covering a total area of 5,720 hectares, across the farms Clapham and Winnaarshoek and portions of Driekop, Forest Hill and Hackney. Following an empowerment transaction concluded in FY2007, Implats holds an effective 73% interest, while Mmakau Platinum holds a 7% equity stake in the operation.
Operational Performance:
Key operational metrics include:
Approximately 4,130 people, including contractors, are employed at Marula Platinum.
Marula Platinum represents a strategically significant platinum operation within Mmakau Mining’s portfolio, combining established geology, advanced mining methods and empowerment-aligned ownership structures within one of the world’s most important platinum-producing regions.