MINING MATTERS – SouthernEra Ramps up Messina Platinum Plant

SouthernEra Resources of Toronto has successfully commissioned its Messina platinum concentrator in the eastern limb of South Africa's Bushveld Complex. Phase I of the 90,000-tonnes/month plant began treating low-grade ore on Sept. 13 and will be ramped up to normal ore grades by the end of the month. The cost of the concentrator was US$16 million, $2 million under budget.

SouthernEra holds 70.4% of the US$86-million Messina underground mine and mineral processing plant. The project has a mineral resource base of 86.59 million tonnes grading 5.7 g/t PGE plus gold. Initial output is expected to be 159,000 ounces annually at an average operating cost of US$150/oz. The Messina project is located 25 km from the Klipspringer diamond mine, in which SouthernEra has a 50% interest.

Full details are available at www.SouthernEra.com.