Modikwa Platinum Mine (MPM) is a hybrid operation using conventional breast stoping with strike pillars, supported by trackless development and ore clearance.
MPM has five operational shafts which are North 1 Shaft decline, South 1 and South 2 Shaft declines, Onverwacht Hill adits and the Merensky adit; as well as South 2 Shaft decline which is under construction. The ore is transported from the shafts to the primary crusher and plant via conveyors and trucks from south 2 Shaft.
Mining consists of mechanised development and conventional stoping. The UG2 Reef is accessed via three primary declines from the surface and Merensky Shaft.
Ore from South 2 Shaft will be transferred underground to Onverwacht Hill shaft and then on surface to South 1 Shaft via a new conveyor.
Eventually all underground workings will be connected.
North 1 shaft
Access to North 1 shaft is by means of inclined twin declines. The twin declines are used as follows:
• One decline is fitted with a conveyor for the removal of ore and waste rock from the underground workings and for man access at the beginning and end of each shift;
• One decline is fitted with a trackless delivery system for the transportation of materials underground; and
• A chairlift adjacent to the decline transporting materials underground.
MPM used an old abandoned shaft, used for chrome mining in the past, approximately 1.5Km NorthWest of North Sha ........
