Jubilee, Sylvania sign smelting tie-up

LONDON (Reuters) - South African-focused Jubilee Platinum and Sylvania Resources said they will form a joint venture to undertake smelting and refining activities using Jubilee's ConRoast technology.

They hope the technology, which removes sulphur from platinum group metals (PGM) material, will allow the processing and treatment of low grade and high chrome concentrate in South Africa's Bushveld complex, the world's largest PGM producing region, that have previously been deemed uneconomic.

The ownership of the smelting company will be split 70 percent Jubilee and 30 percent Sylvania.

They will also form a second venture, on a 50:50 basis, to undertake the processing of future platinum tailings opportunities.