Blyvooruitzicht mine: a golden opportunity
A revival of part of the liquidated Blyvooruitzicht gold mine is under way that, if successful, will re-employ some of those who lost jobs in 2013 and help tackle a major source of crime and pollution
Mining entrepreneur Peter Skeat is continuing to drive the partial revival of the bankrupt Blyvooruitzicht gold mine near Carletonville, where 1,700 miners lost their jobs when the company collapsed five years ago because of a weak gold price.Skeat’s Blyvoor Gold Capital is finalising funding and the last regulatory approvals that are needed to resume underground mining at a single shaft — number five — and to treat gold remaining in old tailings storage facilities. The mine will operate two metallurgical plants, one for underground ore and the other for tailings material.If everything goes smoothly, the mine will employ 800-900 people and operate for another 30 years.Skeat has been working on these plans since 2016. Mining veterans who recall Skeat’s history of disputes with his partners will not be surprised to hear that Blyvoor has hit a few bumps already. His relationship with his first co-directors at Blyvoor ended up in court.The company’s CEO is now Alan Smith, who was previo...
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