Bushveld Reserves from Wickipedia6 Mar 2021 08:44
Reserves
The three largest ore bodies are the Merensky Reef, the UG2 Chromitite Reef and the Platreef:[20]
The Merensky Reef is a predominantly sulfide-rich pyroxinite layer mined on both the eastern and western limbs of the Bushveld Complex not only supplies most of the world's PGEs but also notable amounts of copper, nickel, cobalt and gold as byproducts.[49]
The UG2 Chromitite Reef, known as the UG2 Reef Upper Group 2, is a chromite-rich layer that lacks sulfide minerals. As a whole, it is possibly one of the largest resources in terms of platinum group elements, larger than the overlying Merensky Reef. and is also mined on both the eastern and western limbs.[49]
The Platreef is the world's third largest PGE deposit (after UG2 and Merensky reefs). The ore body is composed of three "broadly mineralised horizons rather than a distinct reef".[49]
BIC's Approximate Mineral Inventory (PGEs & Gold resources+reserves)*
Ore body Ore (Mt) Platinum (t) Palladium (t) Rhodium (t) Ruthenium (t) Iridium (t) Gold (t)
Merensky Reef 4200 13000 6100 800 250 51 1200
UG2 Chromitite 7300 20000 13000 3700 940 230 420
Platreef 5200 4500 5400 300 N/A N/A 590
Miscellaneous 850 590 610 58 N/A N/A 58
Total 17550 38090 25110 4858 1190 281 2268
* Table modified from USGS, 2010.[20]
Most of the identified mineral inventory is from the three described reefs, most of it is located within the eastern limb but most of the reserves are found within the western limb.[20]