TIDMSLP

RNS Number : 8405D

Sylvania Platinum Limited

24 October 2022 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

24 October 2022

Sylvania Platinum Limited

("Sylvania", the "Company" or the "Group")

Results of Initial Optimisation Studies for Northern Limb Mineral Assets

Sylvania (AIM:SLP), the platinum group metals ("PGM") producer and developer with assets in South Africa, is pleased to announce the results of its successful optimisation studies carried out on its exploration targets located on the Northern Limb of the Bushveld Complex in South Africa.

The results include an updated Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") and Scoping Study for the Volspruit Project, which focussed solely on the Volspruit North Body and a MRE and Exploration Results for the Far Northern Limb Projects, which consists of the Aurora Project containing the La Pucella Target, and the Hacra Project.

Highlights

Volspruit Project

   --      Volspruit North Body JORC MRE (Measured and Indicated): 

o 14.87 million tonnes ("Mt") at 2E + gold ("Au") (2E includes platinum ("Pt") and palladium ("Pd")) grade of 2.27 grammes per tonne ("g/t");

o 1.08 million 2E + Au ounces;

o 19.47 million pounds ("lb") of copper ("Cu") at a grade of 0.06%; and

o 55.79 million lb of nickel ("Ni") at a grade of 0.18%.

-- Volspruit North Body JORC Scoping Study completed (based on long-term metal prices and exchange rate consensus forecast):

o Pre-tax NPV (using a discount factor of 12.5%) of $27.3 million (ZAR 464.0 million), excluding significant potential upside from rhodium ("Rh") contribution and South Body PGM ounce inclusion currently being assessed;

o Pre-tax IRR of 17.9%;

o Pre-Feasibility Study milestone expected to be completed in FY2023, followed by the Feasibility Study starting in FY2024;

o First production milestone expected in approximately four years from investment decision;

o Payback Period from first production of 4.25 years;

o Life of Mine of 8.7 years;

o EBITDA per annum of $30.6 million (ZAR 520.0 million); and

o Peak funding requirement of $147.4 million (ZAR 2.5 billion).

-- The Scoping Study was produced on conservative assumptions and does not currently include a JORC compliant rhodium resource. The potential rhodium contribution is currently being evaluated and is expected to provide significant upside. Additionally, and important to note, the Volspruit North Body covers 58% of the Volspruit Project area and excludes the Volspruit South Body which is still being reviewed. This could add additional material to be treated through capitalised infrastructure in the future, and thus provide further upside potential.

-- While the current Scoping Study economics do not meet the Company's internal investment criteria, it does illustrate the project's promising potential value, based on conservative assumptions and ignoring upside potential, and so supports the Company's competently evaluated decision to progress to a Pre-Feasibility Study during the current financial year.

Far Northern Limb Projects

Aurora Project

   --      La Pucella JORC MRE (Measured and Indicated): 

o 16.21 Mt at 2E + Au grade of 2.63 g/t; and

o 1.37 million 2E + Au ounces.

-- The La Pucella Target area is a near-surface T-Zone discovery and currently covers just 12% of the combined Aurora project area.

o The discovery of the T-Zone near surface indicates that this high grade zone previously found at depth, has the potential to be mined utilising open pit mining methods.

   --      A scoping level mining study is being carried out with results expected in early 2023. 

-- Mineralisation is known to continue at depth and with future additional drilling an additional underground MRE could be reported.

-- Future studies are aimed at improving analytical confidence to include Rh and base metals in the MRE that are currently at inferred level.

Hacra Project

-- Encouraging 2021 Exploration Results with various intersections indicating attractive grades between 2.3g/t and 7.4g/t 2E + Au and a true intersection thickness from 3.4m up to 11.9m.

   --      Contiguous to the Waterberg PGM project. 
   --      Working towards a maiden MRE in early 2023. 

Next Steps

-- As part of its commitment to further improve the viability of its exploration assets at both the Volspruit and Far Northern Limb projects, and to further unlock economic potential from these owned and licenced assets, the Company anticipates spending approximately ZAR70.0 million ($4.4 million) during FY2023 to perform further resource optimisation and to undertake additional exploration drilling and will continue to apply the same study parameters as used in the initial investigations to the remaining target areas, to ensure future value is realised at its exploration assets.

Jaco Prinsloo, CEO of Sylvania, commented:

"I am excited to share the results of our extensive optimisation studies at our Northern Limb Mineral Assets. These results include detailed Mineral Resource Estimates and a Scoping Study, and even though these were evaluated using conservative parameters, all results demonstrate attractive projects with significant upside potential across our entire Northern Limb asset portfolio.

"While the current Volspruit Scoping Study economics do not meet the Company's internal investment criteria and would not currently trigger a formal investment decision, I believe that the PFS that has already commenced will illustrate the significant upside that the inclusion of the Rh resource and South Body material would contribute. From existing metallurgical data (non-JORC compliant), we know that Rh could for example contribute approximately 5% to 6% additional ounces at no additional capex, demonstrates substantial additional value and which would significantly improve the attractiveness of the project.

"In terms of the Aurora Project, I am particularly excited by the presence of the near surface T-Zone, similar to that previously encountered at depth by Platinum Group Metals Ltd on its Waterberg project. However, this newly discovered near surface T-Zone suggests a lower cost and lower risk opportunity than typical deep level underground mining techniques.

"These targeted exploration studies were commissioned during FY2021 for both the Volspruit and Far Northern Limb Projects and the rapid delivery of these exploration results is a testament to the team's hard work and the Company's ability to deliver, in an effective and efficient manner, on its strategic goals.

"During FY2023, the Company will continue to produce additional optimisation studies for the remaining target areas held under the Company's approved Mining Rights and that we deem to hold further value for Sylvania. These exploration activities will be internally funded and have already been included in the Company's announced cashflow planning for this current year.

"While the Company continues to focus on delivering value from and growing its existing cash generating dump reprocessing operations, the optimisation of value from its exploration assets remains one of the important pillars of Sylvania Platinum's growth strategy and a future value driver. With that in mind, we are proud to deliver these exploration results which I have no doubt will generate significant future value for the Company and all of its stakeholders. We look forward to sharing further updates in due course."

Further Information

The Company's Northern Limb Mineral Assets constitute various mineral asset exploration projects, that are endowed with PGE-Ni-Cu mineralisation, on the Northern Limb of the Bushveld Igneous Complex located in South Africa. Sylvania has approved Mining Rights for its Mineral Asset portfolio.

Volspruit Project

The Company initiated a resource optimisation study, with the assistance of Earthlab Technical Division ("Earthlab"), a mining and exploration specialist company, at the Volspruit North Body. The primary objective was to improve the Run of Mine ("ROM") ore feed grades for the project to enable the production of a higher grade, saleable PGM concentrate, eliminating the need for expensive and complicated downstream processing infrastructure.

Earthlab has reviewed historical exploration results of the Volspruit North Body and a revised geological interpretation was applied. This allows for higher grades, reducing the Mineral Resource Estimate to a smaller volume, but of a higher quality. Due to the alternative definition of mineralised zones, estimated as separate domains, the 2E PGM + Au grade of the MRE increased significantly and has enhanced the economic potential of the Volspruit North Body, especially when combined with the relatively low waste to reef stripping ratios anticipated.

We continue to meet the investment and workstream requirements relating to the permits under the existing Mining Right, with specialist technical teams currently working on the authorisations. These authorisations include the Water Use Licence for the mining and on-site processing of the ore, updating of the Environmental Impact Assessment and the finalisation of the amended Social and Labour Plan ("SLP") which will update the Local Economic Development ("LED") project that is included in the Mining Right held by the Company.

Mineral Resource Estimate

Table 1 shows the Volspruit North Body Mineral Resource tonnes and grades in g/t of Pt, Pd, Au and summed up as 2E + Au grade as well as Cu and Ni as percentages. The tonnes and the metal content are reported on a 100% attributable basis for all the PGMs and Base Metals (Table 2). Tables 1 and 2 furthermore divide the tonnes, ounces, and metal contained base metals into the three Resource Classification parameters as per the JORC Code (2012). The categories in decreasing confidence levels are Measured, Indicated and Inferred categories.

A significantly large proportion of the 2E + Au oz (96%) of the North Body reports to the Measured (21%) and Indicated (75%) Mineral Resources. As for the contained Ni, 20% reports to the Measured and 77% reports to the Indicated categories, respectively. The Inferred Mineral Resources are attributed to faulting which caused elevation differences with sparse drilling as well as the presence of the Nyl River and its associated flood lines with sparse drilling.

Table 1: Volspruit North Body Mineral Resources and grades at a 100% attributable basis

 
 Mineral          Tonnes   Pt (g/t)   Pd (g/t)   Au (g/t)   2E +Au   Cu (%)   Ni (%) 
  Resource     after 10%                                     (g/t) 
  Class          Geoloss 
 Measured      3,157,604       1.01       1.23       0.05     2.30     0.07     0.17 
             -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------  -------  ------- 
 Indicated    11,710,665       1.01       1.19       0.05     2.26     0.06     0.18 
             -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------  -------  ------- 
 M&I          14,868,269       1.01       1.20       0.05     2.27     0.06     0.18 
             -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------  -------  ------- 
 Inferred        558,019       1.17       1.09       0.06     2.33     0.07     0.17 
             -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------  -------  ------- 
 Total        15,426,288       1.02       1.20       0.05     2.27     0.06     0.18 
             -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------  -------  ------- 
 

Table 2: Volspruit North Body Mineral Resources and metal content at a 100% attributable basis

 
 Mineral          Tonnes   Pt (oz)   Pd (oz)   Au (oz)      2E +Au      Cu (lb)      Ni (lb) 
  Resource     after 10%                                      (oz) 
  Class          Geoloss 
 Measured      3,157,604   102,759   125,148     5,213     233,121    4,407,872   11,457,984 
             -----------  --------  --------  --------  ----------  -----------  ----------- 
 Indicated    11,710,665   381,174   449,773    19,293     850,240   15,063,089   44,331,575 
             -----------  --------  --------  --------  ----------  -----------  ----------- 
 M&I          14,868,269   483,933   574,921    24,506   1,083,360   19,470,961   55,789,558 
             -----------  --------  --------  --------  ----------  -----------  ----------- 
 Inferred        558,019    21,054    19,599     1,101      41,755      826,808    2,128,906 
             -----------  --------  --------  --------  ----------  -----------  ----------- 
 Total        15,426,288   504,987   594,521    25,608   1,125,115   20,297,769   57,918,464 
             -----------  --------  --------  --------  ----------  -----------  ----------- 
 

Footnotes that are relevant to all Mineral Resource tables:

   --      Rounding of numbers may lead to computational discrepancies; 

-- Mineral Resources are reported as in-situ, without any dilution of immediate hanging wall or footwall waste;

   --      If cut-off grade is applied at the Mineral Resource level, it will be stated accordingly. 

Scoping Study

Earthlab completed a Scoping Study on the North Body of the Volspruit Project in accordance with the JORC Code (2012). Due to the specific JORC Code requirements, Rh has not been included in the current resource and its potential value contribution has therefore not been included in the Scoping Study valuation.

The Technical Study accuracy ranges between a Scoping Study and a Feasibility Study. A large portion of the study was completed with an accuracy better than that required at a Pre-Feasibility study level, including resource estimation, detailed mine design and scheduling to produce a Run of Mine ("ROM") profile to feed a concentrator. However, most of the processing infrastructure, in terms of the Capital Expenditure estimates, is currently at a scoping level of accuracy, which results in the project defaulting back to a Scoping Study. The Technical Study reasonably justifies the project's likelihood of progressing to a Pre-Feasibility Study and beyond.

Steady state mining production is designed and planned to feed the mills with a capacity of 150,000 tonnes per month ("ktpm") at average feed grade of 2.13 g/t 2E +Au, 0.06% Cu and 0.17% Ni. The mine plan comprises 15.7 million ROM tonnes, at a strip ratio of 6.67 (Metric t:t ROM) for the North Pit. Mining is scheduled in three pushbacks over a production life of 8.7 years with a maximum pit depth of 150 metres below the surface. The business case is built on delivering and selling concentrate to a third-party smelter similar to the model employed at the Company's existing dump operations. The metal recoveries, as used in the financial model to determine the recovered metal available to sell, are based on test work undertaken by Mintek in South Africa, which in its current level of progress is at a scoping level of accuracy.

The project returns $27.3 million (ZAR 464.0 million) at a pre-tax NPV(12.5%) and an IRR of 17.9%. The total contained metal in concentrate is: 704,000 oz of Pt, Pd, and Au; 13.6 million lb of Cu; and 33.7 million lb of Ni. This valuation currently excludes potential upside from Rh contribution and South Body PGM ounce inclusion which are currently being assessed.

Peak funding required is $147.4 million (ZAR 2.5 billion) with a payback period of 4.25 years from the first production. All-in Sustaining Cost ("AISC") to produce Pt, Pd, and Au ounces is $979/oz and $39.8 per tonne milled (ZAR 675/t). The yearly projected EBITDA is $30.6 million (ZAR 520 million).

Investment returns:

 
 Investment Returns*                     Total/Average 
 NPV Pre-Tax                       $27.3m (ZAR 464.0m) 
                                  -------------------- 
 IRR Pre-Tax (Real, %)                           17.9% 
                                  -------------------- 
 Pre-Tax Discount Factor (Real, 
  %)                                             12.5% 
                                  -------------------- 
 Payback Period (from first 
  Production, years)                              4.25 
                                  -------------------- 
 Peak Funding Requirement           $147.4m (ZAR 2.5b) 
                                  -------------------- 
 Life of Mine (years)                              8.7 
 Operating Margin (%)                              33% 
                                  -------------------- 
 EBITDA per Annum                    $30.6m (ZAR 520m) 
                                  -------------------- 
 AISC (ZAR per Pt, Pd + Au oz 
  payable)                           $979 (ZAR 16,614) 
                                  -------------------- 
 AISC (ZAR per PtEq oz payable)      $788 (ZAR 13,368) 
                                  -------------------- 
                                        $1,277/oz 2E + 
                                                    Au 
 Basket Price (ZAR per Pt, Pd           (ZAR 21,670/oz 
  + Au oz payable)                            2E + Au) 
                                  -------------------- 
 

* Investment Returns currently exclude any Rh upside potential as well as any potential contribution from the Volspruit South Body which is still being evaluated.

(#) Converted to US$ at the long-term forecast exchange rate of ZAR16.97.

Far Northern Limb Projects

The Company currently holds approved Mining Rights for PGMs and Base Metals for both the Aurora and Hacra project areas as part of its Far Northern Limb Projects.

In 2020 the Company, together with Earthlab, initiated a targeted review of the Hacra and Aurora PGM and Base Metal projects through an infill drilling programme, re-evaluation of existing drill hole data and an optimisation study.

Aurora Project

Through the re-interpretation of the geology, stratigraphy and the mineralisation, a significant Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource representing the first near-surface discovery of the Waterberg T-Zone geology and mineralisation is being declared. These results from the La Pucella Target area of the Far Northern Limb provide only the second known occurrence of the T-Zone mineralisation, with the initial discovery in 2011 found at depths more than 220 metres below surface underlying the Waterberg PGM Project.

Table 5 shows the Mineral Resource tonnes (discounted by 10% geological losses) and grades in g/t of Pt, Pd, Au and summed up as 2E +Au grade for the La Pucella target area which also includes a small portion of the contiguous Nonnenwerth farm. The tonnes and the metal content are reported on a 100% attributable basis.

A significantly large proportion of the 2E +Au oz (99 %) reports to the Measured (31%) and Indicated (68%) Mineral Resources. The Inferred Mineral Resources are attributed to faulting which caused elevation differences with sparse drilling. While no blocks deeper than 200 metres below the surface are included in the reported numbers, the mineralisation is known to extend beyond this depth, and with future additional drilling, an underground Mineral Resource could potentially be reported.

Table 5: Aurora Project T1 and T2 Mineral Resources and grades at La Pucella and Nonnenwerth ([1])

 
 Mineral          Tonnes      Density       Pt       Pd       Au       2E   Pt metal   Pd metal   Au metal        2E + 
  Resource     after 10%    (g/cm(3))    grade    grade    grade     + Au       (oz)       (oz)       (oz)    Au metal 
  Class          Geoloss                 (g/t)    (g/t)    (g/t)    grade                                         (oz) 
                                                                    (g/t) 
 Measured      4,663,151         2.72     0.97     1.48     0.40     2.85    146,009    222,053     59,386     427,448 
             -----------  -----------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------- 
 Indicated    11,543,631         2.71     0.88     1.34     0.33     2.54    326,095    496,743    121,604     944,442 
             -----------  -----------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------- 
 M&I          16,206,782         2.71     0.91     1.38     0.35     2.63    472,104    718,796    180,990   1,371,890 
             -----------  -----------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------- 
 Inferred        124,671         2.71     0.95     1.32     0.40     2.68      3,822      5,297      1,611      10,730 
             -----------  -----------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------- 
 Total        16,331,452         2.71     0.91     1.38     0.35     2.63    475,926    724,093    182,601   1,382,620 
             -----------  -----------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------- 
 

Hacra Project

Exploration Results for the Hacra mineralisation are reported in Tables 6 and 7. As the project continues, the Company aims to use the data to compile a MRE with the aim of declaring a maiden Mineral Resource. A total of 8 intersections of the T-Zone have been logged in the drill core, of which 4 were intersected during the 2021 drilling program, all of which will be subjected to an MRE. During the 2021 campaign, the intersections range in true thickness from 3.40 m at 5.47 g/t 2E + Au and 11.09 m at 5.64 g/t 2E + Au. A notable intersection during the 2021 campaign is 5 m at 7.83 g/t 2E + Au on the T2 Unit. The MRE is expected to be completed during early 2023.

Various planned drill holes or deflections did not intersect the targeted T1 and T2 mineralisation in both the 2012 and the 2021 exploration campaigns as noted in Table 7.

Table 6: Hacra Project Exploration Results for drill holes intersecting T1 and T2 Units on Harriets Wish farm.

 
 BHID         Intersection      From   To Depth          Average   True Thickness   2E +Au   Drilling 
                               Depth        (m)    Dip (Degrees)              (m)    Grade    Campaign 
                                 (m)                                                 (g/t) 
 HW-029       T1              519.96     594.20               45             1.91     2.80   2012 
             --------------  -------  ---------  ---------------  ---------------  -------  ---------- 
  T2-UPPER                    612.32     615.60               45             2.79     2.32 
 --------------------------  -------  ---------  ---------------  ---------------  -------  ---------- 
  T2-LOWER                    633.70     639.71               45             5.11     3.51 
 --------------------------  -------  ---------  ---------------  ---------------  ------- 
 HW-029W1     T1              591.25     594.24               45             2.54     1.89 
             --------------  -------  ---------  ---------------  ---------------  ------- 
  T2-UPPER                    612.80     616.20               45             2.89     1.87 
 --------------------------  -------  ---------  ---------------  ---------------  ------- 
  T2-LOWER                    635.00     638.34               45             2.84     2.02 
 --------------------------  -------  ---------  ---------------  ---------------  ------- 
 HW-029W2     T1              591.85     595.00               45             2.68     2.97 
             --------------  -------  ---------  ---------------  ---------------  ------- 
  T2-UPPER                    614.40     616.80               45             2.04     0.97 
 --------------------------  -------  ---------  ---------------  ---------------  ------- 
  T2- LOWER                   634.60     638.55               45             3.36     2.84 
 --------------------------  -------  ---------  ---------------  ---------------  ------- 
 HW-032       T1              701.00     719.93               45            24.04     3.93 
             --------------  -------  ---------  ---------------  ---------------  ------- 
  T2                          722.13     729.25               45             6.78     3.56 
 --------------------------  -------  ---------  ---------------  ---------------  -------  ---------- 
 HW-201_D0    T1              398.84     414.27               45            11.90     5.64   2021 
             --------------  -------  ---------  ---------------  ---------------  -------  ---------- 
  T2                          414.27     427.64               45            10.31     2.34 
 --------------------------  -------  ---------  ---------------  ---------------  -------  ---------- 
 HW-202_D0    T1              405.18     410.67               45             4.23     4.84 
             --------------  -------  ---------  ---------------  ---------------  ------- 
  T2                          410.67     417.15               45             5.00     7.38 
 --------------------------  -------  ---------  ---------------  ---------------  ------- 
 HW-202_D1    T1              406.11     410.15               45             3.40     5.74 
             --------------  -------  ---------  ---------------  ---------------  ------- 
  T2                          410.15     417.83               45             5.57     3.00 
 --------------------------  -------  ---------  ---------------  ---------------  ------- 
 HW-202_D2    T1              404.21     409.33               45             3.95     2.78 
             --------------  -------  ---------  ---------------  ---------------  ------- 
  T2                          409.33     415.10               45             4.45     5.99 
 --------------------------  -------  ---------  ---------------  ---------------  -------  ---------- 
 

a Project Exploration Results for drill holes that did not intersect T1 and T2 Units on Harriets Wish farm

 
 BHID        Campaign   Reason 
 HW-0293     2012       Intersected fault zone in HW stratigraphy. Drilling 
                         stopped due to poor ground conditions. 
            ---------  ----------------------------------------------------------- 
 HW-024                 Troctolite sequence intersected (F-Zone equivalent), 
                         drill hole positioned beyond T-Zone sub-crop. 
            ---------  ----------------------------------------------------------- 
 HW-024_W1              Troctolite sequence intersected (F-Zone equivalent), 
                         drill hole positioned beyond T-Zone sub-crop. 
                       ----------------------------------------------------------- 
 HW-025                 Structural interference with multiple faults cross-cutting 
                         the Troctolite Sequence (F-Zone equivalent), beyond 
                         the T-Zone sub-crop. 
                       ----------------------------------------------------------- 
 HW-025_W1              Structural interference with multiple faults cross-cutting 
                         the Troctolite Sequence (F-Zone equivalent), beyond 
                         the T-Zone sub-crop. 
                       ----------------------------------------------------------- 
 HW-026                 Beyond T-Zone sub-crop, intersection with Archean 
                         Basement directly after Waterberg Group. 
                       ----------------------------------------------------------- 
 HW-027                 Beyond T-Zone sub-crop, intersection with Archean 
                         Basement directly after Waterberg Group. 
                       ----------------------------------------------------------- 
 HW-028                 Stopped short in Waterberg Group at 6 m due to Archean 
                         Basement sub-crop. 
                       ----------------------------------------------------------- 
 HW-030                 Drill hole stopped at planned depth with no T-Zone 
                         intersection. Drill hole on far western extent of 
                         the Harriets Wish farm. 
                       ----------------------------------------------------------- 
 HW-031                 Drill hole stopped at planned depth with no T-Zone 
                         intersection. Drill hole on far western extent of 
                         the Harriets Wish farm. 
            ---------  ----------------------------------------------------------- 
 HW-203_D0   2021       T-Zone intersection cross-cut by large shear zone. 
                         Structural interference and mineralisation sterilisation. 
            ---------  ----------------------------------------------------------- 
 HW-203_D1              T-Zone intersection cross-cut by large shear zone. 
                         Structural interference and mineralisation sterilisation. 
            ---------  ----------------------------------------------------------- 
 HW-204_D0              T-Zone intersection cross-cut by large shear zone. 
                         Structural interference and mineralisation sterilisation. 
                       ----------------------------------------------------------- 
 HW-204_D1              T-Zone intersection cross-cut by large shear zone. 
                         Structural interference and mineralisation sterilisation. 
                       ----------------------------------------------------------- 
 HW-204_D2              T-Zone intersection cross-cut by large shear zone. 
                         Structural interference and mineralisation sterilisation. 
                       ----------------------------------------------------------- 
 HW-205                 Troctolite Sequence intersected (F-Zone equivalent), 
                         drill hole positioned beyond T-Zone sub-crop. 
                       ----------------------------------------------------------- 
 HW-206                 Drill hole abandoned due to poor drilling conditions 
                         and hole collapse, due to Paleosol Unit destabilisation. 
            ---------  ----------------------------------------------------------- 
 

CONTACT DETAILS

 
 For further information, please 
  contact: 
 Jaco Prinsloo CEO 
  Lewanne Carminati CFO               +27 11 673 1171 
 
 Nominated Adviser and Broker 
 Liberum Capital Limited              +44 (0) 20 3100 2000 
 Richard Crawley / Scott Mathieson 
  / Kane Collings 
 
 Communications 
 BlytheRay                            +44 (0) 20 7138 3205 
 Tim Blythe / Megan Ray / Rachael     sylvania@BlytheRay.com 
  Brooks 
 

CORPORATE INFORMATION

 
 Registered and postal   Sylvania Platinum Limited 
  address: 
                         Clarendon House 
                         2 Church Street 
                         Hamilton HM 11 
                         Bermuda 
 
 SA Operations postal    PO Box 976 
  address: 
                         Florida Hills, 1716 
                         South Africa 
 
 

Sylvania Website : www.sylvaniaplatinum.com

About Sylvania Platinum Limited

Sylvania Platinum is a lower-cost producer of platinum group metals (PGM) (platinum, palladium and rhodium) with operations located in South Africa. The Sylvania Dump Operations (SDO) comprises six chrome beneficiation and PGM processing plants focusing on the retreatment of PGM-rich chrome tailings materials from mines in the Bushveld Igneous Complex. The SDO is the largest PGM producer from chrome tailings re-treatment in the industry. The Group also holds mining rights for PGM projects in the Northern Limb of the Bushveld Complex.

For more information visit https://www.sylvaniaplatinum.com/

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) no.596/2014 as amended by the Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.

For the purposes of MAR and Article 2 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1055, this announcement is being made on behalf of the Company by Jaco Prinsloo.

In accordance with the AIM Rules - Note for Mining and Oil & Gas Companies, the information contained in this announcement has been reviewed and signed off by Mr. Deon du Plessis, a qualified professional Geologist (Pr.Sci.Nat. - 400050/05) and Fellow with the Geological Society of South Africa (FGSSA - 963338), who has over 21 years' relevant experience within the mining sector.

ANNEXURE

 
 GLOSSARY OF TERMS - Results of Optimisation Studies for Northern Limb Mineral 
  Assets 
 The following definitions apply throughout the announcement: 
 
                           Mineral Resource Estimate - The process of subjecting known 
                            geological evidence and knowledge required for the estimation 
                            of Mineral Resources, and must include sampling data of a 
                            type, and at spacings, appropriate to the geological, chemical, 
                            physical, and mineralogical complexity of the mineral occurrence, 
                            for all classifications of Inferred, Indicated and Measured 
                            Mineral Resources. A Mineral Resource cannot be estimated 
                            in the absence of sampling information. Any adjustment made 
                            to the data for the purpose of making the Mineral Resource 
                            estimate, for example by cutting or factoring grades, should 
 MRE                        be clearly stated and described in the Public Report. 
 2E + Au                   Platinum, Palladium, and Gold 
                          ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 AISC                      All-in sustaining costs 
                          ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                           Platinum Equivalent is quantity of a Metal having an economic 
                            value expressed in ounces of Platinum and calculated by multiplying 
                            the quantity of the Metal by an assumed price for that Metal 
 Equivalent Ounce           and dividing the product by an assumed price for Platinum, 
  (Pt)                      where such prices are determined using the Financial Parameters. 
                          ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                           A comprehensive technical and economic study of the selected 
                            development option for a mineral project that includes appropriately 
                            detailed assessments of applicable Modifying Factors together 
                            with any other relevant operational factors and detailed 
                            financial analysis that are necessary to demonstrate at the 
                            time of reporting that extraction is reasonably justified 
                            (economically mineable). The results of the study may reasonably 
                            serve as the basis for a final decision by a proponent or 
                            financial institution to proceed with, or finance, the development 
                            of the project. The confidence level of the study will be 
 Feasibility Study          higher than that of a Pre-Feasibility Study. 
                          ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                           A geological loss is an area or volume with no reef or ore 
                            developed due to disruption by a geological feature. Geological 
                            loss is expressed as a percentage by which a Mineral Resource 
                            is discounted and is based on the geological condition of 
                            an orebody. There are two types termed "Known" and "Unknown" 
                            losses. Mineral Resources are discounted by the total geological 
                            losses. A Known geological loss is known/expected before 
                            mining takes place, and is often indicated by remote sensing, 
                            or is the extension of a feature, which has been exposed 
                            by current mining activities. These types of geological features 
                            are in general occurrences of a linear type of features (examples 
                            include faults, dykes, shear zones, and other localised features). 
                            Unknown geological losses are generally associated with those 
                            features which have not been determined by various geophysical 
 Geoloss                    techniques. 
                          ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                           An 'Indicated Mineral Resource' is that part of a Mineral 
                            Resource for which quantity, grade (or quality), densities, 
                            shape and physical characteristics are estimated with sufficient 
                            confidence to allow the application of Modifying Factors 
                            in sufficient detail to support mine planning and evaluation 
                            of the economic viability of the deposit. Geological evidence 
                            is derived from adequately detailed and reliable exploration, 
                            sampling and testing gathered through appropriate techniques 
                            from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings 
                            and drill holes, and is sufficient to assume geological and 
                            grade (or quality) continuity between points of observation 
                            where data and samples are gathered. An Indicated Mineral 
                            Resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying 
                            to a Measured Mineral Resource and may only be converted 
 Indicated                  to a Probable Ore Reserve. 
                          ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                           An 'Inferred Mineral Resource' is that part of a Mineral 
                            Resource for which quantity and grade (or quality) are estimated 
                            on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling. 
                            Geological evidence is sufficient to imply but not verify 
                            geological and grade (or quality) continuity. It is based 
                            on exploration, sampling and testing information gathered 
                            through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, 
                            trenches, pits, workings and drill holes. An Inferred Mineral 
                            Resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying 
                            to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted 
                            to an Ore Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority 
                            of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated 
 Inferred                   Mineral Resources with continued exploration. 
                          ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                           Joint Ore Reserves Committee - The Australian Code for Reporting 
                            of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves 
                            ('the JORC Code') is a professional code of practice that 
                            sets minimum standards for Public Reporting of Exploration 
 JORC                       Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. 
                          ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                           A 'Measured Mineral Resource' is that part of a Mineral Resource 
                            for which quantity, grade (or quality), densities, shape, 
                            and physical characteristics are estimated with confidence 
                            sufficient to allow the application of Modifying Factors 
                            to support detailed mine planning and final evaluation of 
                            the economic viability of the deposit. Geological evidence 
                            is derived from detailed and reliable exploration, sampling 
                            and testing gathered through appropriate techniques from 
                            locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and 
                            drill holes, and is sufficient to confirm geological and 
                            grade (or quality) continuity between points of observation 
                            where data and samples are gathered. A Measured Mineral Resource 
                            has a higher level of confidence than that applying to either 
                            an Indicated Mineral Resource or an Inferred Mineral Resource. 
                            It may be converted to a Proven Ore Reserve or under certain 
 Measured                   circumstances to a Probable Ore Reserve. 
                          ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 PGE-Ni-Cu                 Platinum Group Elements, Nickel and Copper 
                          ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                           Platinum Equivalent is quantity of a Metal having an economic 
                            value expressed in ounces of Platinum and calculated by multiplying 
                            the quantity of the Metal by an assumed price for that Metal 
                            and dividing the product by an assumed price for Platinum, 
 PtEq                       where such prices are determined using the Financial Parameters. 
                          ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                           An area that can be mined in a single continuous operation 
 Pushbacks                  as defined within the Ultimate Pit. 
                          ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                           Waste to reef stripping ratio, refer to Stripping ratio definition 
 Reef Stripping             below. 
                          ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                           Defined as c lasses or categories as per the JORC Code (2012) 
                            in decreasing confidence levels as Measured, Indicated and 
 Resource Classification    Inferred. 
                          ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 ROM                       Run of Mine 
                          ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                           An order of magnitude technical and economic study of the 
                            potential viability of Mineral Resources. It includes appropriate 
                            assessments of realistically assumed Modifying Factors together 
                            with any other relevant operational factors that are necessary 
                            to demonstrate at the time of reporting that progress to 
 Scoping Study              a Pre-Feasibility Study can be reasonably justified. 
                          ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                           Refers to the amount of waste (or overburden) that must be 
 Strip Ratio                removed to release a given ore quantity . 
                          ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                           The T-Zone occurs within the Bushveld Complex's Main Zone 
                            just beneath the contact of the overlaying Upper Zone and 
                            consists of numerous mineralised layers with two potential 
                            economical PGE-Ni-Cu layers identified from top down as the 
                            T1 Unit and T2 Unit, separated by the TZ-Middling unit. They 
                            are composed mainly of anorthosites, leuco-gabbronorite through 
 T-Zone                     gabbronorite, harzburgite, troctolite, and olivine gabbronorite. 
                          ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   1                      Footnotes: 

-- To perform block model estimation, wireframes of the mineralised T-Zone underlying the farm of La Pucella were un-faulted and rotated to an approximated horizontal plane. The Mineral Resource constitutes the T1-main and T2-main zones. The Mineral Resource is reported from a orthogonal block model in its actual spatial position with no rotations or translations. The orthogonal block model is fit-for-purpose to be subjected to Whittle Pit Optimisation procedures.

-- The numbers reported in this disclosure are before any cut-off grade applied to the block model.

-- The parent block size is set to X=2.5m ; Y=20m ; Z=5m. There are however millions of subcells which resulted from the intricate steps followed to produce the Mineral Resource. The subcells are retained at this stage to honor the stratigraphic populations (T1_main vs T1_waste and T2_main vs T2_waste) as well as the 3E classification. Block optimisation was done without regarding Rh, Cu, or Ni classification since these metals are downgraded to Inferred for the entire model.

-- The surface elevation of the project area ranges from 1,000 mamsl to 1,005 mamsl. Blocks are filtered to include only those lying at 800 mamsl and above to report the Mineral Resource at approximately 0 - 200 m below surface. No blocks deeper than 200 m below the surface are included in the reported numbers, however, the mineralisation is known to extend beyond this depth, and with later-stage additional drilling an underground Mineral Resource could potentially be reported should the deposit satisfy the RPEEE test.

-- As per the guidelines set out by JORC an RPEEE test has been performed on the La Pucella grade block model as part of the initial work undertaken for the Scoping Study, which is based on an open-pit mining configuration. The La Pucella grade block model has passed the RPEEE test conducted by Earthlab in October 2022. The results of the test prove the prospective economic viability of the project and substantiate the declaration of its Mineral Resources to a depth of 200 m below surface.

-- The current block model extends slightly beyond the borders of the farm La Pucella. A detailed breakdown is only provided for blocks within La Pucella and Nonnenwerth, which are inside the current Mining Right.

-- The average grades reported in this document are calculated on the tonnage before applying geological losses. The 10% geoloss discount factor is applied to the total tonnage without any specific location affected, therefore not affecting the grade.

-- Pt, Pd, and Au (3E) are the only elements for which Measured and Indicated Resource categories are reported. Each element was classified according to a scorecard, and then combined in the following ratio based on potential revenue contribution:

   o    T1_main: Pt : Pd : Au - 0.25 : 0.58 : 0.17 
   o    T2_main: Pt : Pd : Au - 0.22 : 0.63 : 0.15 

-- Although higher confidence classifications were achieved for Rh, Cu, and Ni based on the estimation scorecard, Rh, Cu, and Ni were downgraded to Inferred due to insufficient confidence in the analytical results obtained by the laboratory. This could potentially be restored with future re-assay work.

   --          Numbers are reported to three significant figures. 

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