By Dickson Bandera
Government is impressed with the work at Zimbabwe Platinum Mines Limited (Zimplats) and is urging other companies in the mining industry to emulate these good practices as the country is geared towards creating an Upper Middle Class Economy by the year 2030.
Zimplats, the country’s largest platinum group metals (PGM), has invested US$2,2 billion between 2002 and 2022 on mine expansion and maintaining operations, a development that has established it as one of the successful mining stories in the history of Zimbabwe.
On Wednesday, June 14, the company officially commissioned its Third Concentrator at Ngezi Mine, bringing the number of concentrators to a total of four, with three now at Ngezi and one at Selous.
The plant will process platinum group metals ore including platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium and osmium from the mine through crushing, milling, floatation and filtration.
The investment will result in production increasing to 4.2m metric tonnes per annum from the current 2.4 metric tonnes.
This resonates well with the target of a 12billion dollar mining industry by 2023 set by government under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS-1).
The construction of the Third Concentrator is one of the fruits of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and ZIMPLATS for the sustainable development of the Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) integrated projects by the company.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Hon Winston Chitando at the official opening of the Third Concentrator Plant, President Emmerson Mnangagwa acknowledged the company’s efforts towards developmental projects that will benefit the entire nation.
“This plant represents a significant milestone in our country’s efforts to add value to our mineral resources and promote sustainable development in the mining industry.
“As we all know, value addition and beneficiation are key drivers of economic development. They create jobs, increase exports, and generate revenues for the government. Therefore, it is our duty as a nation to promote and support industries that add value to our natural resources,” he said.
The president also praised the company for the success stories that continue to come from the platinum miners.
“I would like to commend the management and staff of this company for their commitment and hard work in making this project a reality. You have shown that with determination, dedication, and a clear vision, anything is possible. Your efforts will not only benefit your company, but also the entire nation,” said the president.
“I urge other companies to follow in your footsteps and invest in value addition and beneficiation. Together, we can build a strong and prosperous economy that benefits all our people. As we move forward, we must continue to prioritize beneficiation and value addition in the mining industry. We must invest in new technologies, research, and development to ensure that we remain competitive and continue to add value to our mineral resources,” he added.
The construction of a Base Metal Refinery by Zimplats is another major step towards full beneficiation, said the president.
“I am glad, therefore, that Zimplats in one of its projects intends to construct a Base Metal Refinery (BMR). This is another giant step forward in local mineral beneficiation and value addition, as we move towards full beneficiation of platinum in the country.
Speaking at the same occassion, Implats board chairperson, Thandi Orleyn said the commissioning of the plant is a commitment to create a better future for the company’s stakeholders through the metals.
“We went through labour pains of making the business a success story. But, today, we are proud investors and moving ahead investing more in Zimbabwe with the on-going US$1.8bn expansion programme of which US$1.4bn has already been approved by the Zimplats board and shareholders,” Orleyn said.
According to Zimplats, other capital projects that are at different stages of implementation include:
The development of a new mine, Mupani, and the upgrade of Bimha Mine. So far, Zimplats has spent US$295 million out of a budget of US$468 million for this.
A US$521 million expansion of smelter capacity. So far, Zimplats has spent US$66.6 million.
A base metal refinery that will meet part of the country’s ambitions for local value addition.
A 185MW solar plant for US$201 million. The first phase of 35MW will be completed in July 2023.
The company also demonstrated its commitment towards aligning with pro-people government policies as communities were issued with certificates of share ownership. The certificates, presented by Minister Sekai Nzenza, were received by chiefs from the local community.
Zimbabwe has the second highest deposits of platinum in the world. Major mineral belts include the Great Dyke belt (P.G.Ms., chrome, gold etc.), Coal field include Beit Bridge-Gokwe-Hwange belt and the Marange diamond fields.