Marikana currently has six operating shafts: 4 Belt (4B), K3, K4, Rowland, Saffy, and E3. The Merensky and the UG2 reefs are mined simultaneously at an average depth of 500m and are accessed via infrastructure consisting of shallow incline and deeper vertical shafts. The 4B shallow incline, and the K3, K4 and Rowland vertical shafts target both the Merensky Reef and UG2 reef horizons, while the E3 shallow incline and the Saffy vertical shaft target only the UG2 reef. The vertical shaft complexes account for the largest portion of the Mineral Reserves.
The Mineral Reserves are mined using conventional underground mining methods. The 4B and E3 shallow incline shafts extend to depths of approximately 400m below surface; the K3, Rowland and Saffy vertical shafts extend to approximately 900m below surface and the K4 vertical shaft to 1130m.
Mining methods:
• Vertical shafts: conventional up-dip and down-dip mining with a limited amount of conventional breast mining;
• Shallow inclines: conventional breast mining with a limited amount of conventional up-dip and down-dip mining;
• TSF: Hydraulic (Hydrojet).
The K3, 4B and Rowland shafts mine both the Merensky and UG2 Reef horizons with Saffy and E3 shafts only mining the UG2 Reef. On the Merensky Reef horizon, towards the eastern side of the Marikana Operations footprint, there is a decrease in the grade as the Reef thickness to over 10m and an increase in structural complexity. Transp ........