Platinum producers to form association

The association will be affiliated to the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe has the second largest known deposits of platinum in the world after neighbouring South Africa.
There are three mines operating in the country, namely Zimplats, Mimosa and Unki.
Chamber president and Mimosa managing director Mr Winston Chitando said the move was expected to boost production and co-operation among local producers.
“There are plans to form a platinum producers association to attend to matters relating to platinum mining in Zimbabwe. There is already Gold Producers Association which has made strides in improving the sector,” he said.
“Platinum mines have not been operating at full capacity due to viability challenges and the association will seek ways to deal with these issues.”
The current combined production levels from the three platinum mines is below 500 000 ounces and this has been viewed as inadequate for the establishment of a refinery.
Government last year announced that it was considering a ban on raw platinum exports within the next five years in a bid to force miners to set up refineries.
Platinum producers are sending ore to South Africa for purification, a move government says is depriving the country of other minerals such as gold found together with the metal.
A ban on raw chrome exports was also effected in early 2012 to promote local smelting.
Platinum was discovered in Zimbabwe’s Great Dyke in 1925, but early attempts at mining were unsuccessful, and it is only in recent years that production has reached significant levels. – New Ziana.