The Bushveld sequence at Eland mine is similar to that within the broader southeastern portion of the western limb but shows stratigraphic variation from west to east. The Critical Zone sequence, being fully developed in the west, thins within 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 UG2 Reef. Despite this, both reefs are continuous across the property. This has led to the characterisation of three UG2 Reef subtypes (facies) transitioning from west to east as the Normal, Split and Zilkaats sub-type domains.

Merensky Reef
The Merensky Reef is the upper mineralised portion of the 13 m thick Merensky pyroxenite, generally extending over 2 m to 3 m. The Merensky pyroxenite 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. The Mineral Resource channel is defined as a fixed cut of 3 m below the hangingwall contact.

UG2 Reef
The internal structure of the UG2 Reef is similar to that found in the remainder of the western limb, albeit thicker and lacking continuous chromitite stringers or leaders in the immediate hangingwall. Three reef facies have been defined; Normal, Split and Zilkaats. The UG2 Normal and Split facies consist of massive, upper Leader and lower Main seam chromitite layers 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 4E metal-barren, silicate waste parting of up to 120 cm thickness. 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 interval of silicate rocks. This generally renders the lower seam sub-economic. The Mineral Resource channels applied are variable and dependent on both the facies and the UG2 chromitite thickness.

UG1 Reef
No Mineral Resources have been declared for the UG1 Reef. However, the reef comprises two chromitite seams of between 180 cm to 200 cm thickness separated by an internal silicate parting of between 20 cm and 370 cm. The UG1 Reef is bound by massive norite units in the hangingwall and footwall. The PGE grade across the chromitite seams is below 1 g/t 4E and concentrated along the top and basal contacts.

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 transporte ........