It has undertaken advanced steps towards developing a 3 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum) iron ore project, which is likely to develop considerably in the current financial year after the efficacious first production from a pilot plant.

“The Iron Ore project will enhance another scalable product line to the BMM operations and offer the best-in-class product to our customers. The first part of the project will employ feed from current operations and produce high-grade iron ore and dense media separation products (DMS), to be used as feedstock for the steel and coal industry respectively,” stated Business Head.

“This ground-breaking project will contribute in converting our existing BMM operations to be competitive, globally cost-efficient, and sustainable. It will also improve the life of mine of the existing operations, thereby augmenting our environmental, social, and governance footprint across our Southern African operations,” top official added.

BMM have earlier operated with global industry experts and partners to design a process skilful of producing a high-quality product.

The sparsely populated Northern Cape Province is rich in minerals like zinc, nickel, lead, copper and cobalt.

For the period 2014-2019, BMM have spent 20 million rands on local economic development projects. “We are proud of the influence our current operations have in our communities. We truly trust that the rollout of this new iron ore project will permit us the chance to create employment prospects as well as deliver ongoing support to our social development projects in the region,” official added.

The mining giant also accounts 69.6% of BMM with Exxaro Resources, a leading South African Black Economic Empowerment company owning 24.4% and the BMM Employee Share Ownership Plan the balance of 6%.