The Middle Group (MG) chromitite is exploited in two mines, the Morula (previously known as Hernic Maroelabult Chrome Mine; Fig. 3.19 left) and the Bokone opencast and underground operations. The
mean mineable thicknesses of the MG1 and MG2 layers (Fig 3.19 right) are 1.2 m with a dip
angle of about 18° to the northeast. Both layers are mined in two inclined shafts. The average chemical composition of the chromitites is:
38.4 % Cr2O3, 1.5 % CrFe, 13 % MgO as well as 1.4 to 2.4 ppm (g/t) PGE-4E (Pt+Pd+Rh+Au).

The stoping method used at Maroelabult is conventional breast mining. Advance strike gullies spaced at 21.5m are 1.5m wide and 2.8m deep and will be developed on reef. The panel width will be maintained below 22.5m for stability and safety reasons. The panels will have 6.0m long by 4.0m wide strike pillars with 2m holings between pillars, with the ASG maintained approximately 3m ahead of the advancing stope face.

At the ferrochrome beneficiation plant (Morula Operation), the run of mine (RoM) material is crushed and screened. The coarse fraction (120 x 20 mm) is processed through a heavy media separation. The fines (–20 mm) are milled to –1
mm and then fed to the spiral separator. The concentrate has a Cr content of 42 %. Approximately 80??% of these chromite fines have a grain size < 32 µm. They are pelletised and
sintered through Outokumpu technology to produce competent pellets of 13 mm in diameter. The annual production is about 600,000 t of pellets. The pellets are heated in a steel belt sintering furnace, to form strong bonds between the chromite grains to yield and agglomerate the material. The sintered pellets are then sized and fed to the smelter by belt conveyor.

The Company commissioned the Dense Medium Separation (DMS) Plant in June 2015. The plant is designed to process 120 000 ROM per month.