The recent recovery in platinum group metals (PGM) prices is resulting in increased activity in the sector, particularly in brownfield expansion projects, and mineral processing equipment leader Multotec is positioned to support this, process manager Mboneni Ntsieni tells Mining Weekly.

The company recently participated in the ninth yearly PGMs Industry Day, held last week in Johannesburg, which Ntsieni said revealed a generally positive outlook for the sector.

However, challenges such as legislative uncertainty and energy constraints persisted, and this required urgent government intervention, as addressing these could bolster growth in the sector, she emphasised.

This uptick in the PGM sector came after a prolonged period of uncertainty, caused by volatile pricing, particularly owing to the increase in demand for electric vehicles, and ongoing cost pressures in South Africa such as energy and operational costs. These factors resulted in many projects being delayed, with investors opting for caution, Ntsieni explained.

She noted that there was growing interest in tailings re-treatment, as companies sought to maximise value from existing resources while minimising capital investment and risk.

“Multotec is well positioned to support clients in this environment through a combination of fit-for-purpose equipment and strong technical expertise. Our applications engineering team works closely with clients to optimise operations through plant audits, process improvements and ongoing technical support.

“In addition, through our research and development (R&D) and testwork capabilities, we also assist in derisking projects, particularly in brownfield expansions and tailings re-treatment initiatives,” she highlighted.

Citing tangible examples, she informed that the company recently commissioned a 100 t/h spiral pilot plant in Limpopo to treat PGM tailings.

The scope included equipment supply, commissioning and close collaboration with the client, aimed at ensuring stable operation and optimal performance from the outset.

“At Multotec, we are well positioned to support our clients through ongoing operational support, project execution and metallurgical testwork,” Ntsieni acclaimed.

The company provides mineral processing equipment and solutions across the beneficiation value chain.

Multotec’s offering spans key process areas, including screening and classification, where it supplies screening media and hydrocyclones, comminution support through mill liners and separation technologies such as spirals and flotation wear components.

The company also provides slurry pumps, wear lining solutions and sampling systems to support efficient and reliable plant operation.

Multotec also offers technical support through a team of applications engineers who collaborate with clients to optimise plant performance.

This includes plant audits, process optimisation and after-sales support.

Through its R&D division, it conducts metallurgical testwork to support process optimisation and derisk new and existing projects, aimed at ensuring that equipment selection and plant design are based on proven performance data.

Multotec also collaborated with engineering, procurement and construction management companies during the early project stages to ensure correct equipment selection and optimal plant design, while continuing to support brownfield operations through upgrades, expansions and process improvement projects, Ntsieni outlined.