OPERATIONS
below surface on the south-western boundary. Three distinct
reef types have been defined for the UG2 Reef at Two Rivers,
namely the ‘normal reef’ with a thick main chromitite layer; a
‘split reef’ characterised by an internal pyroxenite/norite lens
within the main chromitite layer; and a ‘multiple split reef’ with
numerous pyroxenite/norite lenses occurring within the main
chromitite layer.
The UG2 orebody at Two Rivers is accessed via two decline shaft
systems (Main Decline and North Decline), three kilometres
apart. Underground mining operations are fully mechanised
and the bord and pillar mining method is employed where
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stoping widths average around 1.8m. A mining section consists
of eight 12m rooms, with pillar sizes increasing with depth
below surface.
Accessing the Great Dyke
The Great Dyke of Zimbabwe is a layered complex similar to that
of the Bushveld Complex. It extends for 550km and measures
11km at its widest. Within the Great Dyke four geological
complexes are known to contain PGM and base metal deposits.
These are the Wedza Complex, where Implats operates the
Mimosa mine with Sibanye-Stillwater (another platinum giant),
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