The World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC) has projected Zimbabwe’s platinum output to grow by 5 percent this year on the back of two major capital investments in production facilities by the miners.
“Production from Zimbabwe is expected to reach a new high this year of around 500 koz as ongoing project development brings new volumes online,” it said in its report for the fourth quarter of 2o23 .
WPIC said refined output in Zimbabwe remained constant year over year even though underlying mine production increased as a result of project development.
“Gains from the commissioning of a new concentrator at Zimplats were partly offset by maintenance at Unki.
“The completion of the Unki debottlenecking project and the commissioning of the Ngezi third concentrator at Zimplats increased capacity, which will result in higher refined volumes in 2023,” reads the report.
For the fourth quarter of 2022, the country’s platinum production declined by 3 percent to 123 000 ounces from 127 000 ounces in the comparative period last year. At 123 000 ounces in the fourth quarter of 2022, Zimbabwe’s platinum output was 6 percent higher compared to 116 000 ounces realised in the preceding quarter of 2022.
Zimbabwe’s platinum production surpassed the 2022 industry estimates but fell by a negligible 1 percent compared to 485 000 ounces in 2021, the latest report shows.
WPIC projected that the country’s platinum output would be 478 000 ounces in 2022. The southern African country has the world’s second-largest platinum group metals resource, after South Africa, on the Great Dyke. It has three platinum-producing mines: Zimplats, Mimosa and Unki.
Meanwhile, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Minister Monica Mutsvangwa told a post-Cabinet media briefing that nine units are currently being built and that they will help the mining industry reach its US$12 billion goal.
The projects include the Dinson Colliery coke oven battery construction in Matabeleland North; Lithium processing plant at Sabi Star in Manicaland; Mimosa Mining Company optimisation of the concentrator plant in the Midlands; RioZim Murowa 500 tonnes per hour Greenfields Diamond plant and establishment of a ferrochrome smelter at Amazon in Midlands; and Tshingshan iron ore and chrome/coke value addition project in Mashonaland East.
“The Mimosa and Murowa diamond plants are set for commissioning in 2023,” she said.
Of the US$12 billion, gold, platinum, and diamonds are expected to contribute US$4 billion, US$3 billion and US$1 billion, respectively. Chrome, iron ore and carbon steel will contribute US$1 billion while coal and hydrocarbons will do the same.
Lithium contributes US$500 000 while other minerals will constitute US$1,5 billion. – The Herald
