South African platinum and chrome miner Tharisa (THS ) has signed a five-year contract with Cementation Africa for underground mining development and construction works at the Tharisa Mine.
The signing follows on from the successful first blast on 31 March 2026 marking the commencement of the development of the first portal at the Tharisa Mine.
The agreement is structured on an alliance contracting model, aligning the interest of both parties, and is underpinned by an open book, cost plus fee basis rather than a traditional rates-based, risk transfer model.
The owner-miner open pit operations will continue concurrently with the underground mine development.
Cementation Africa is a leading underground mining contractor with a reputation for delivering complex projects safely, on time and to specification while upholding the highest standards of quality.
The partnership is expected to enhance operational efficiency, improve access to deeper ore bodies, and extend the life of mine. Cementation Africa brings extensive technical expertise and a strong track record in delivering safe and innovative underground mining solutions.
“This agreement represents an important step in unlocking the full potential of our resource base,” said Phoevos Pouroulis, chief executive of Tharisa.
“Cementation Africa's proven capabilities and safety-focused approach make them an ideal partner as we expand our underground operations.”
View from Vox
The first blast in March was a highly symbolic moment, as Tharisa began the transition to underground mining, but now things are about to get real. Mining at the underground portions of the Tharisa Mine is expected to last for close on sixty years, securing the future of the company across the generations, and this agreement means that operations are one step closer to getting underway in earnest. It’s a key moment.