Northam Platinum Holdings reports 3.7% increase in PGM production

Northam Platinum Holdings performed well in the six months to December 31, 2025 after platinum group metals 4E (PGMs) produced from own operations increased by 3.7%, a production report showed.

The mining group's shares surged 5.63% to R404.06 in early trade on the JSE after the report was released on Wednesday morning - the price has increased markedly from only R110.75 a year ago.

Chrome concentrate production increased by 14.8%, compared to the corresponding 6-month period ended December 31, 2024.

"Our operations performed well. Zondereinde is benefitting from logistics decongestion from the ongoing shift of UG2 stoping from the western to the higher-yielding eastern portions of the mine, as well as an increase in mining productivity from focused Merensky stoping in the Western extension," group directors said in the report.

Refined PGM production from own operations at Zondereinde increased by 3.1% to 170 262 ounces.

PGM concentrate production from own operations at Booysendal increased by 1.7% to 261 148 ounces.

Concentrate production from own operations at Eland rose 19.6% to 44 842 ounces.

Chrome production at Zondereinde fell 0.4% to 241 454 tons. Chrome production at Booysendal increased 15.5% to 414 289 tons. Production at Eland was up 44.7% to 167 061 tons.

Equivalent refined PGMs from third parties amounted to 83 448 ounces, representing an increase of 39.7%.

Directors said Booysendal mine continues to focus on productivity and efficiency gains. Eland was making positive progress on its ramp-up program, with improvements in both square metres and tons mined.

At Zondereinde, the ramp-up of stoping continued within the Western extension section."Equipping of 3 shaft for personnel and material transport, as well as the provision of services, is nearing completion. Reaming of 3a ventilation shaft also continues," the directors said.

Both shafts were scheduled for commissioning in the first quarter of the 2026 calendar year and were expected to deliver efficiency benefits to mining in the Western extension. Pilot drilling of 4 shaft, which will be a rock hoisting shaft, was complete and reaming had commenced.

At Booysendal, measures to increase mineable reserves and operational flexibility continued. At Eland, ore production from underground mining was ramping up. Reconfiguration of the mine's ventilation circuit had enabled multi-blast conditions, which allowed accelerated decline development rates.

"Focus remains on strike and raise development in order to increase mineable reserves." The ramp-up of stoping was improving feed volumes and grades to the concentrator, and enhancements to the concentrator circuits were yielding additional benefits to PGM and chrome production.

At the group metallurgical facilities, upgrades to the base metal removal plant were complete and the new furnace slag concentrator was processing slag inventory at a satisfactory pace.

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