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ZIMPLATS is set to complete the construction of a dam at a cost of more than $20 million to be used to boost water supply for its new concentrator, an official has said. Zimplats head of corporate affairs Ms Busi Chindove said the platinum giant had relocated 24 families that lived within a three kilometre radius from the dam.
“The main project goal was to increase the water supply to the new concentrator at Ngezi Mine and Turf,” she said.
Ms Chindove said the pipeline from the dam to the mine passed through three villages and a school and these had been assisted with take-off points for raw water for various uses including watering cattle and fishing.
“The project is undoubtedly huge and will change the face not only of Turf, but the whole of Mhondoro,” she said.
Ms Chindove said at least six boreholes had been sunk while a dip tank was still being renovated for the same communities.
She said the area was now accessible and a secondary school, David Guzuzu, had been built from scratch for the community surrounding the dam.
Zimplats, a unit of South Africa’s Impala Platinum, is currently involved in a massive expansion project which is expected to add about 90 000 ounces of platinum production capacity to its production.
The move is expected to increase production to 270 000 ounces per year by 2015. Government has given local platinum miners who include Mimosa and Unki an ultimatum to set up a refinery plant. — New Ziana.
Online Reporter