Producing high quality PGMs and base metals Braemore Resources plc is an AIM-quoted company (Code: BRR) which has as its objective to develop into a top 10 international nickel and platinum group metals (PGMs) producer, initially from operations in Australia and South Africa. While Braemore is not currently involved in mining operations directly and intends expanding its direct exposure to mining operations in the future, its distinctive competitive advantage lies in the licensed process technology developed by Mintek.

In Australia, the company has acquired rights to reprocess nickel tailings to recover nickel metal at Leinster, Kambalda and Mount Keith, BHP Billiton’s three principal nickel mines in Western Australia. These tailings have accumulated over the past 20 or more years and more will be produced over the mines’ remaining lives. Here, Braemore’s hydro-metallurgical process enables the recovery of nickel from low-grade tailings in a cost-effective manner.

In South Africa, its wholly-owned subsidiary, Braemore Platinum Smelters, has an exclusive licensing agreement to Mintek’s innovative ConRoast process that overcomes the smelting problems that currently restrict the ability to conventionally smelt concentrates from ores that are high in chromite. The ConRoast technology also provides an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to the current beneficiation processes in the PGM sector. Braemore is actively pursuing joint ventures and strategic alliances with emerging PGM and base metals producers and has already secured two agreements in South Africa.