JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – The completed prefeasibility study (PFS) drilling campaign for the Bengwenyama platinum group metal (PGM) project, on the eastern limb of South Africa’s distinctively endowed Bushveld Complex, is emphasising the robustness of the upper group two (UG2) reef, project developer Southern Palladium reported on Tuesday.

An updated mineral resource estimate (MRE) will now follow in the third quarter of this year to facilitate the commencement of mine planning for the PFS.

Samples received back from ALS laboratories in Johannesburg are allowing for the next MRE to begin, Southern Palladium stated in a stock exchange news service release covered by Mining Weekly.

Southern Palladium is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the ASX.

The completion of 82 drillholes, totalling 30 746 m, includes 50 reef deflections and marks a significant milestone in exploration efforts, Southern Palladium MD Johan Odendaal highlighted.

Sufficient size and quality of drilling results are opening the way for the project’s PFS to be completed.

The drilling was focused on the eastern portion of the farm Eerstegeluk to achieve indicated mineral resources status in the shallower portion of the UG2 reef that has an average depth of 275 m and average drill spacing of 350 m.

The drilling campaign continues to confirm the average grade and prill split of the UG2 reef at 8.25 g/t of three-element PGMs and gold and 9.88 g/t of six-element PGMs and gold.

A geological structural plan is being updated with the new data and the MRE will follow shortly.

Bengwenyama, held 70% by Southern Palladium, is particularly palladium and rhodium orientated.

The scientific and technical information have been approved by Minxcon director Uwe Engelmann.

Southern Palladium is chaired by former Minerals Council South Africa CEO Roger Baxter.