Eland Platinum Mine is situated in the North West Province of South Africa, close to the town of Brits, on the western limb of the Bushveld Igneous Complex, which in turn houses the world’s largest known reserves of Platinum Group Metals. Eland is an opencast operation with two open pits with high walls ranging between 105m and 45 m. Development of the first of two underground Decline Shaft Systems, which will replace the limited-life open pit operations, commenced in September 2009. Production is currently +200 000 tons per month.

Eland Mine was acquired in November 2007 from the now delisted Eland Platinum Holdings. It is Xstrata Alloys’ second platinum mining operation after Mototolo Mine, which forms part of the joint venture with Anglo Platinum. Eland Mine is 74% owned by Xstrata and 26% owned by the Ngazana Consortium, a Black Economic Empowerment group. The mine has its own concentrator, which was commissioned at the end of November 2007. Plans are afoot to double the concentrating capabilities. The mine has an off take agreement with Anglo Platinum for the concentrate.

Eland Platinum Mine is due for expansion into underground operations when market conditions allow, which will result in additional employment opportunities for surrounding communities.

The mine is also committed to sustainable community development through its Social and Labour Plan that has been submitted and accepted by the Department of Minerals and Energy. There are additional community development activities that are undertaken in line with Xstrata’s corporate social investment programme as well as the mine’s own operational requirements.

The mine has also devised a very innovative water management system that will allow it to be completely self-sufficient in the future, using ground water and the recycling of water that has been pumped from the opencast and future underground operations