Sibanye Stillwater updates on the impact of flooding on the PGM operations
Johannesburg – Sibanye-Stillwater has updated on the impact of the regional floods which, on Monday 13 June 2022, affected a widespread region surrounding its US PGM operations in Montana, USA.
Following initial assessment of the impact of the flooding on our US PGM operations, Sibanye-Stillwater are pleased to report that despite widespread damage to infrastructure and personal property across the region, its mining and metallurgical operations were largely unaffected.
Several bridges in the vicinity of our Stillwater mine were however damaged during the flooding and sections of the primary access road from Nye to the Stillwater mine have been severely eroded, restricting access to the mine and requiring rerouting of water, tailings and other piping. Remediation work on the east/west access bridge within the Stillwater mine complex has begun and should be completed in approximately four weeks. It is estimated that operations at the Stillwater mine will remain suspended for approximately 4-6 weeks before safe access to the mine is restored and production can resume.
Management continues to engage with all relevant authorities and affected stakeholders to prioritise the repair of the damaged bridges and roads and to remediate the impact of flooding of the Stillwater river within the Stillwater mine complex. The Stillwater mine accounts for approximately 60% of mined production from the US PGM operations.
Access to the East Boulder mine and Columbus metallurgical facilities remains intact and both facilities continued operating during the flooding events.
CEO, Neal Froneman commented: “We have been encouraged by the positive response to the flooding by the entire community and are proud of the key role our employees have played in supporting those worst affected during this difficult period. We will continue to work with the local authorities and other stakeholders to fast-track the recovery of the region and look forward to resuming operations at the Stillwater section in due course.”
