Bumech has launched the first phase of the Maranda project in South Africa and started gold production, supported by high global prices for the metal. The company has begun leaching oxide ores from the Burgersdorp deposit, treating gold as the first and most important stage in the project’s development. At the same time, Bumech has signed a cooperation agreement with AGH University of Krakow, which will support the technological development of the plant and work related to the recovery of strategic metals.
Bumech S.A. has launched the first phase of the processing plant at the Maranda mine in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The company has started recovering gold from oxide ores using cyanidation from the Burgersdorp deposit, with a target processing capacity of 54,000 tonnes of ore per year. The project is thus moving from the investment phase to the stage of generating operating revenue just one month after the acquisition of the mine was announced. According to the company, this has been made possible by Bumech’s experience in implementing and operating mining and processing projects.
Gold first, oxides before sulphides
Bumech has started gold production at a time of persistently high prices for the metal on global markets. The company emphasises that current market conditions support the rapid launch of the project and revenue generation. The first stage of work focuses on oxide ores from the Burgersdorp deposit, which allow for a simpler and cheaper gold recovery process using CIL technology. This solution enables high recovery rates without costly pre-treatment. Sulphide ores are to be mined in subsequent stages of the project.
“We are starting with the leaching of oxide ores because this technology is proven, quick to implement and, at current gold prices, highly profitable. Flotation of polymetallic ores from the Maranda field will start in the next stage,” said Jonasz Drabek, President of the Management Board of Bumech S.A.
Processing plant modernisation underway
In parallel with the launch of production, Bumech has begun activities aimed at increasing the plant’s efficiency. The management board has already approved the removal of the main technological bottlenecks, including in the grinding section and the replacement of pumps with higher-capacity equipment. The work is expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2026, while the first tests of increased throughput are planned for the end of the year.
The company is also analysing further stages of expansion of the ore processing plant. One option under consideration is the implementation of a new technological line with a capacity of 100 tonnes per hour.
Combining the new installation with the existing leaching line could increase the plant’s processing capacity to more than 1 million tonnes per year. In addition, the group will deliver equipment to South Africa to expand the mine’s power supply, using machinery already stored in Bumech’s warehouses. Transport of the equipment is planned for June.
ZWG Iwiny supplies solutions for the Maranda project
An important element of the Maranda project is the involvement of the ZWG branch in Iwiny, formerly ZWG S.A. in Iwiny, which belongs to the Bumech Group. The plant manufactures metal-rubber components for mills, slurry pumps, crushers and other equipment used in ore processing plants. Products from Iwiny are already being delivered to installations operating at the Maranda mine, and in the next stages they will also be used in transfer systems and conveyors.
ZWG has for years cooperated with some of the largest industrial companies in Poland, including KGHM, PGE, JSW and ZGH Bolesław. The company holds around 50% of the domestic market in two key product groups for the mining industry.
Bumech says the Maranda project is also intended to serve as a starting point for the expansion of ZWG products into Southern African markets, including South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Uganda. The region includes hundreds of processing plants linked to copper, platinum, chromite and gold mining. The company wants to use its operational presence in South Africa to develop sales of industrial and service solutions for the local mining sector.
“The liners for ball mills in our African plant are produced by Bumech’s branch in Iwiny, the same company that has for years equipped mills in KGHM’s ore processing plants. The branch in Iwiny specialises in the production of components and equipment for crushing, grinding and pumping, used in the processing of metal ores and mineral raw materials. We will introduce ZWG products to the markets of South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe — Maranda is our reference foothold,” explained Jonasz Drabek.
Support from AGH University
Bumech also announced that it had signed a cooperation agreement with AGH University of Krakow. The agreement covers scientific and technical cooperation in the development of the Maranda project. The university will support the company in developing advanced and targeted technological solutions, as well as in modernising the plant and improving its production efficiency.
The cooperation also includes activities related to the extraction of strategic and critical elements, particularly indium and tellurium present in the deposit.
The support team will be led by Professor Barbara Tora, who specialises in the processing of polymetallic ores. Professor Tora has scientific and industrial experience gained, among other projects, through work for Vedanta Resources Limited at the Gamsberg zinc mine in South Africa, where she was responsible for implementing process changes that increased production and recovery at the ore processing plant.
“This team was engaged by Vedanta at the zinc mine after previous attempts had failed, and it achieved excellent results. Scientists and engineers associated with AGH and AMK Krakow did outstanding work there. I do not hide the fact that our knowledge of the industry, including this case, their practical experience and their innovative approach to challenges led us to sign an agreement with them. I would add that when Bumech entered the project, a Pole, one of the members of that team, became deputy manager of the entire Maranda project,” said Drabek.
Next stages
In the coming months, Bumech plans to optimise leaching parameters and develop installations related to the safety and detoxification of the cyanide circuit. The next step will be to launch the flotation circuit for polymetallic ores, followed by the development of technologies for recovering associated metals such as indium, germanium and gallium, Drabek added.
The company also plans to carry out a full inventory of resources in accordance with the JORC standard, which is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2027.
