Tharisa has confirmed that its new underground operation is scheduled to deliver first ore by the second quarter of 2026, marking a strategic shift that will secure the long-term future of its platinum group metals (PGMs) mine in South Africa's North West province.
Open-pit resources are expected to be depleted within the next decade.
“We've been an opencast miner for the last 15 years of our existence, and as we deplete our open-pit resources, we now transition from the open-pit to start with underground mining," said Tharisa chief executive Phoevos Pouroulis during an October 3 presentation.
"We’ve always planned to go underground, but it gives us the opportunity to redefine our resources, to innovate again with purpose and to empower futures.”
The $547 million underground development will proceed in phases through two main complexes: Apollo and Orion.
The Apollo shaft is scheduled to deliver first ore in the second quarter of 2026, with the Orion complex following in late 2031.
Together, they will sustain a yearly output of 5.6 million tonnes and extend the mine's life well beyond 2034.
Tharisa said the transition to underground mining will lower costs while reducing environmental impact.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor-In-Chief, Rough & Polished
