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Business Reporter
AIM-LISTED Premier African Minerals has said the electrification programme for its Matabeleland North-based RHA Tungsten mine would be complete by end of November.
The mining group, which owns 49 percent interest in RHA Tungsten, said the electrification project was expected to be concluded within the projected time frame based on correspondence received from Zesa.
Government through the National Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Fund (Nieef) controls the remaining 51 percent threshold.
“Premier African Minerals is pleased to confirm that the electrification of RHA Tungsten Pvt Limited is expected to be concluded by the end of November 2019, based on correspondence now received from Zesa,” it said.
The group’s chief executive officer, Mr George Roach, was quoted as saying: “We are pleased that Zesa has now set out that the complete infrastructure that is needed at the mine site will be completed towards the end of November 2019.
“With this now known, work for bringing the underground operations back on stream can commence.”
The electrification project’s scope of works will be divided into two phases, which Premier hopes would be commissioned concurrently in an attempt to reduce the completion time. Under Phase 1, the project involves the supply of materials, installation (including associated civil works) and commissioning of 1,5MVA 33/0.4kV 5/S, this includes a 400V change over panel and LV power cabling to existing 400V feeder panel.
The project’s Phase 2 includes the supply of materials, installation, including associated civil works, and commissioning of proposed 400 metres 33kV overhead line T-off and 500kVA 33/0,4kV pad mounted soft start up to high voltage of the transformer.
“The Zesa scope of works has been quoted and is to be settled in Zimbabwean local currency,” said the mining group.
In June this year, Premier announced that it had received $6 million from Government through Nieef.
The funding from Nieef has provided RHA leeway to commence the electrification programme.
Of late, Premier African Minerals signed an agreement with Nieef, which saw the Government advancing $6 million for the project.
It is hoped that the $6 million investment will bring back RHA Tungsten into production without any further financing requirement from Premier.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu