South Africa (Nkomati)
Nkomati is a 50/50 joint venture of the Norilsk Nickel Group and African Rainbow Minerals. Nkomati's performance is reflected in financial results using proportional consolidation according to our stake.
Nkomati is located in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, 300 km east of Johannesburg.
It is the only South African company to produce nickel concentrate, which also contains copper, cobalt, chromium and PGM.
Nkomati has a substantial resource base represented by disseminated copper-nickel sulphide ores. The Main Mineral Zone (MMZ) is comprised of a solid sulphide ore body with a relatively high nickel content. The Nkomati Deposit also contains a Peridotite Chromite Mineralisation Zone (PCMZ) with a lower metal content vs MMZ and a relatively high chromium content.
In 2018, total ore mined by Nkomati reached 3.1 mt (attributable to the Group’s 50% shareholding) with an average nickel content of 0.27%.
Concentration facilities
- MMZ Concentrator with installed capacity of 375 ktpm.
- PCMZ Concentrator with installed capacity of 250 ktpm.
The feedstock produced by open-pit and underground mines is processed at concentrators using the sulphide floatation technology. The facility's concentrates are then further sold by third-party companies.
| Metal | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickel, kt | 8.5 | 8.0 | 6.6 |
| Copper, kt | 4.0 | 4.5 | 3.1 |
| Palladium, koz | 40 | 46 | 33 |
| Platinum, koz | 15 | 20 | 13 |