Anglo American Platinum Ltd., or Amplats, said Feb. 1 that it launched a chrome recovery plant at its Amandelbult operation in South Africa to produce commercial-grade chromite concentrate.

The plant is expected to reach steady-state output by the end of the first half of 2017. It was constructed and commissioned during 2016 at a cost of 474 million South African rand.

The new plant is a joint venture between Amplats unit Rustenburg Platinum Mines Ltd. with a 74% ownership, while the rest is held by Baphalane Siyanda Chrome Co.

The Baphalane Ba Mantserre Community that surrounds the Tumela and Dishaba mines at Amandelbult holds a 75% interest in Baphalane Siyanda Chrome.