Xstrata Wonderkop

Description of Operation

Xstrata Alloys (Pty) Ltd, Wonderkop Works, is situated in the Marikana Area in the North West Province. Wonderkop consists of six semi closed arch furnaces, two pelletizing plants as well as the beneficiation plant, with the associated waste management facilities. Xstrata Wonderkop is currently constructing a third pelletizing plant on the property, which is scheduled to commission during the 3rd quarter of 2007. The third pelletizing plant, Bokamoso will be the largest pelletizing plant in the world, producing some 100 000 tons of pellets per month.

The raw materials used at Xstrata Wonderkop plant, with the exception of some of the reductants, are found within a radius of 300 km of the site. The type of raw materials used includes:

• Chrome Ore
• Reductants
• Fluxing Agents

The alloy produced at the six submerged arc furnaces is a silvery grey alloy metal which contains:

• 48 – 52 % Cr
• 7 – 8 % Carbon
• 3 – 5 % Silicon
• 35 – 37 % Fe

Brief History of the Operation

Xstrata Wonderkop was constructed as an extension of the Rustenburg Section and commenced production on 23 September 1996. Later that same year, Wonderkop’s Alloy Recovery plant was also commissioned. In1998, an additional two furnaces were constructed and by 2004, Xstrata Wonderkop commissioned an additional Alloy Recovery plant. Two pelletising plants, a block plant as well as two additional furnaces were commissioned. In 2006, the construction of Xstrata Wonderkop’s 3rd Pelletising plant, Bokamoso commenced and is scheduled to commission during the 3rd quarter of 2007. The Ferrochrome Plant is situated in the Marikana area near the town of Rustenburg in the North West Province, about 110-km west of Johannesburg.