adminTinashe Makichi Business Reporter
GIANT platinum mining company Zimplats has recorded a 48 percent growth in production capacity after the commissioning of a new phase two concentrator in April this year, an official has said.
The mining company improved from the 4,2 million tonnes of ore milled per annum to reach the maximum of 6,2 million tonnes of ore milled per annum, recording a two million tonnes growth and the phase two concentrator has already achieved design capacity.
Zimplats corporate affairs manager Mrs Busi Chindove said the recent commissioning of the concentrator has managed to boost the mining giant’s production capacity according to the details provided by the mine’s metallurgical department.
“In the past Zimplats used to operate at 4,2 million tonnes per annum production capacity inclusive of Selous production plant and Ngezi production plant.
“Therefore, the commissioning of a second concentrator at Ngezi has boosted our production from the 4,2 million to 6,2 million tonnes (milled ore) per annum, which is quite a big margin in terms of sustainable growth and development,” she said.
Zimplats is currently producing 180 000 platinum ounces, 145 000 palladium ounces, 16 000 ounces of rhodium and 20 000 gold ounces a year.
Mrs Chindove said Zimplats expansion programmes were all heading towards completion of the phase two project which she said will automatically put the company on the world map.
“The issues of expansion at Zimplats at the moment are centred on the completion of the phase two project and plans to come up with new projects that are going to benefit the locals are still ongoing,” she said.
“Plans to complete phase two projects are well on course and we are expecting its completion by the beginning of 2014,” she added.
Mrs Chindove said erratic power supplies were hindering expansion.
“The economy is suffering from erratic power supply in the wake of huge power deficit of about 800 megawatts and Zimplats operates at a capacity of 50 megawatts in power consumption.
“Apart from that, mines are paying huge and unaffordable bills following the increase of tariffs by Zesa to large consumers especially Implats companies. Zimplats recently filed an objection against the Government’s intention to acquire over 28 000 hectares of the company’s idle claims and our position remains unchanged until we reach an agreement with the Government,” she added.
The Government intends to repossess idle mining lands belonging to Zimplats to empower local and small-scale miners this year.
Development of the new underground mine (Mupfuti) is still in the pipeline with full production expected to be attained in early 2015.
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