Name of the Project
Zondereinde – Western extension project.

Location
Limpopo, South Africa.

Project Owner/s
Platinum group metal producer Northam Platinum Holdings.

Project Description
Zondereinde is an established, conventional, long-life underground mine that mines the Merensky and upper group two (UG2) reefs. In December 2017, Northam acquired the Western extension, a portion of the neighbouring Amandelbult mining right, from Anglo American Platinum, now Valterra Platinum. The acquisition added 3.6 km of mineable strike to the west of Zondereinde’s existing underground operations, contains more than 20-million ounces of platinum group metals (PGMs) in the Merensky and UG2 reefs, and is expected to extend the mine’s life by about 40 years.

The project includes the 3 Shaft complex for personnel, materials and services, associated ventilation and rock-handling infrastructure, and the planned 4 Shaft rock-hoisting system. The 1 382-m-deep, 4.8-m-diameter 3 Shaft is the world’s deepest raise-bored PGMs personnel and materials shaft. It is intended to improve access to the Western extension and ease logistical constraints associated with servicing the area from Zondereinde’s existing shaft complex about 4 km away.

Potential Job Creation
The expanded mining footprint is expected to create direct, meaningful and sustainable employment for an additional 600 people.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
Northam had invested R6.3-billion in the Western extension project by the commissioning of 3 Shaft.

Planned Start/End Date
3 Shaft was commissioned during the 2026 financial year and officially opened on July 17, 2026. Development of the 4 Shaft rock-hoisting system is under way, with the associated investment planned over the next five years.

Latest Developments
Northam officially opened the Western extension’s 3 Shaft on July 17, 2026, marking the completion of a major component of the project. The shaft was constructed by raise boring, reducing personnel exposure during excavation, and is designed to transport people, materials and services to the extension.

The completed shaft is expected to improve access, face time and service delivery while progressively reducing dilution and logistical constraints in the extension.

For the 2026 financial year, the establishment of new Merensky stoping areas in the Western extension contributed to higher mined tonnages. Northam expects feed-grade constraints arising from understoping, accelerated development and backfill dilution to be progressively resolved following 3 Shaft’s commissioning, with combined concentrator feed grades progressing closer to historical levels over the following 18 months.

The next phase includes the 4 Shaft rock-hoisting system. Reaming has started following the completion of pilot drilling. At about 1 500 m deep, the shaft is expected to set another raise-boring record.

The project also includes a large refrigeration plant designed to cool virgin rock temperatures of about 70 °C and support hydraulic equipment.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Master Drilling (raise-bore drilling contractor); and BBE (design and construction of the refrigeration plant).

Contact Details for Project Information
Northam Platinum Holdings, tel +27 11 759 6000.
R&A Strategic Communications, on behalf of Northam Platinum, tel +27 11 880 3924 or email northam@rasc.co.za.