adminDevelopment, Professor Heneri Dzinotyiwei, during a recent tour of the company’s mines in Ngezi.
Nickel, rhodium, gold, palladium, copper and ruthenium are some of the minerals found in the platinum ore. Zimplats general manager (processing) Mr Louis Mabiza said although Zimplats was exporting raw minerals, the company was reaping profits from all the minerals in the ore.
“We take samples of the ore before exporting and we have technology to detect the amount of different minerals in the ore. We are not only paid for the platinum only but we get money from every mineral in the ore,” he said.
Mr Mabiza said officials from the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation also inspect the ore before export and they could make a follow-up to South Africa to inspect the processing,” he said.
On the setting up of a refinery, Mr Mabiza said they were considering the option although Zimplats was currently concentrating on completing two other projects before the refinery could be established.
“We are currently carrying out a feasibility study to assess the impact of the project, technology required for the refinery and costs,” he said.
Mr Mabiza said setting up a refinery could cost up to US$4,2 billion.
The company is nearing completion of phase 2 of Ngezi Mine, which will see production rising to 6,2 million tonnes per year.
After touring the plant, Minister Dzinotyiwei said he was impressed with the operations at Zimplats.
“We got a direct understanding of the nature of operations of platinum and associated minerals. We were keen to get a picture of the nature of technology applied,” he said. He said he was happy that Zimplats had made huge investment in terms of infrastructure and this was evidence that the company was going to be in business for many more years.
“We would want to see the value addition of the minerals before export. We were just thinking of processing the materials without realising the challenges associated with the development,” he said.
He said Government was willing to assist the company in different ways. “We will soon come up with a national programme on nanotechnology which huge companies such as
Zimplats can also benefit from. Minister Dzinotyiwei also said it was important that that local companies contribute in community development and improve livelihoods and the economy of the country.
Zimplats sponsors projects in sport, health and education especially in promoting science subjects.
The projects are based on consultations and recommendations from the grassroots.
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