Two contiguous mining rights cover some 3 982 hectares and host both the Merensky and UG2 ore bodies, which sub-outcrop over the entire 6.7 km east-west strike of the property, dipping at approximately 19° to the north. The vertical separation between Merensky and UG2 Reefs is approximately 200 m.

The Bushveld sequence at Eland is similar to that within the broader south-eastern portion of the western limb, but shows variation from west to east. The Critical Zone sequence, being fully developed in the west, thins in the far eastern portion of the property. This is similar to the southern portions of Booysendal, and is also related to the Bushveld sequence abutting onto basement highs. The impact of this abutment manifests itself in disruption to the morphology and internal structure of the two reefs. Despite this, both reefs are continuous across the property. This has led to the characterisation of three UG2 Reef sub-types (facies) transitioning from west to east into Normal, Split and Zilkaats sub-type domains.

Merensky Reef
The Merensky Reef is the upper mineralised portion of the Merensky pyroxenite, generally extending over 2 to 3 m of the pyroxenite that reaches up to 20 m thickness. The Merensky Reef is immediately overlain by a sequence of competent norites. No facies have been defined, but surface morphology disruption is evident in the far east of the property.

UG2 Reef
The internal structure of the UG2 Reef is similar to that found in the remainder of the Bushveld western limb, albeit thicker and lacking chromitite stringers or leaders in the immediate hangingwall.

The UG2 Normal and Split facies consist of massive, upper Leader and lower Main seam chromitites with an average combined thickness of 160 cm. In the case of the Normal facies, these seams are vertically juxtaposed or merged. In the Split facies, the seams are separated by a metal-barren, silicate waste parting. The Zilkaats facies is defined where a massive Leader seam, with a mean thickness of 95 cm, overlies a lower, Main seam that comprises either a multitude of chromitite stringers or disseminated chromite within a variable thickness interval of silicate rocks. This generally renders the lower seam portion to be sub-economic.

EM is an established mine, with a Concentrator Plant that produces PGM and chromite concentrate.

Two different mining methods are undertaken at EM at two sections, namely underground mining at Elandsfontein and opencast mining at Zilkaatsnek.

Elandsfontein
Opencast mining operations commenced in 2006 prior to the commissioning of the Concentrator Plant, to build up an ore stockpile. The opencast workings were accessed via two boxcuts, located along the length of the UG2 outcrop. Mining took place on both sides of each of the boxcuts (SLR, 2012). Excess waste rock was used for the construction of the TSF Paddocks and roads.

The opencast reserves on the Farm Elandsfontein have been mined out (SLR, 2012).

The underground mining operation is divided into two mining blocks. These areas are accessed through two decline portals in the high wall of the initial opencast boxcuts (SLR, 2012). These are referred to as the Nyala (eastern portal) and Kukama (western portal) Shafts. Each portal contains two declines, providing access to the underground workings.

Zilkaatsnek
The mining method for the Zilkaatsnek opencast operation comprise of a series of boxcuts, which, once the ore has been removed, the next cut of overburden is removed and the initial void backfilled. Voids will be backfilled as part of the EP Proposed Projects.

Re-mining
EP has been authorised to re-mine the tailings in Paddock 1. The tailings are re-mined using hydromining. The slurried tailings are piped from Paddock 1 to the Concentrator Plant, where the PGM and chromite minerals are extracted.

EP is also currently processing ore from outside sources. The ore is hauled by truck from local sources to EM. It is stored on the existing approved ROM Stockpile and is hydro-mined and pumped to the Concentrator Plant, where it is milled and further processed.

Limited quantities of the tailings stored in the TSF is processed in a Backfill Plant, to produce cementitious backfill, which is pumped underground for ground support.

The current mineral processing operations comprise of one Concentrator Plant, with the option of adding an additional concentrator plant in future.

The existing Concentrator Plant comprises of the following: ROM ore stockpiling, ore storage (silo),
crushing and screening, milling and flotation circuits, concentrate handling, a chromite recovery circuit and a TSF. The Concentrator Plant has a capacity to process 250 000 tonnes per month and is designed to produce PGM and chromite concentrate.

Underground mining will take place at the EM's Kukama and Nyala Shafts. The ROM will be transported to the Concentrator Plant, where it will be crushed and milled. PGM will be extracted from the milled ore by floatation. The tailings from the floatation will then be fed to a Chrome Extraction Plant, where chrome concentrate will be extracted using gravity separation. The final tailings will then be deposited on the existing TSF Paddocks. The PGM concentrate will be trans ........