Zimplats pours US$270m into capital projects

ZIMBABWE’S largest platinum miner, Zimplats, has spent US$270 million in various capital projects so far this year as it seeks to improve its economic contribution.

The projects include stay-in-business, replacement and expansion projects.

The platinum miner expects to commission the third Concentrator plant, which is under construction and is set to increase the volume of concentrate produced from 144 000 tons to 163 000 tons per annum at 2.1 percent mass pull.

The new furnace will increase smelting capacity from 135 000 tons of concentrate to 380 000 tons. In a statement accompanying the company’s financials for the full year ended 30 Jun 2022, the mining firm said US$44,1 million was used on the upgrade of the Mupani Mine project, a development that saw expenditure reaching US$190,7 million to date.

“The development of Mupani Mine, a replacement mine for depleted Rukodzi Mine and Ngwarati Mine, which depletes in FY2025, is progressing well and on schedule,” said the company.

“The upgrade of Mupani Mine from the current design capacity of 2,2 million tons per annum (Mtpa) to 3,6 Mtpa to replace part of the tonnage contribution from Mupfuti Mine on depletion in FY2027 was approved, increasing the estimated total project cost from US$264 million to US$386,2 million.

Mupani mine

“A total of US$44,1 was spent on this project during the year bringing the project to date expenditure to US$190,7 million.”

According to the statement, the mine is scheduled to reach production of 2,2 Mtpa in September 2024 and full production of 3,6 Mtpa in August 2028.

Also progressing on schedule is the upgrade of Bimha Mine from the current design capacity of 2,0Mtpa to 3,1Mtpa to replace part of the tonnage from Mupfuti Mine, which will deplete in FY2027.

A total of US$64,7 million was spent on the Third Concentrator plant project during the year bringing the total project to date expenditure to US$79,3 million.

Mpfuti mine

The miner said the new concentrator plant with planned installed capacity of 0,9Mtpa, will mill ore generated from the optimisation of the Life of Mine through ramping up replacement mines production (Mupani and Bimha mine upgrades) ahead of depletion of the mine being replaced (Mupfuti Mine).

The project commenced in FY2021 and is on track for commissioning in the first quarter of FY2023.
During the year under review, the board approved the construction of a new 38MW furnace and an acid plant at a total cost of US$520,6 million.

At present, the Group is exporting part of its metal production in concentrate form as the existing smelter cannot process all the concentrate generated from the concentrators.

“Commissioning of the Third Concentrator plant which is currently under construction will increase the volume of concentrate produced from 144 000 tons to 163 000 tons per annum at 2.1 percent mass pull,” said Zimplats.

“The new furnace will increase smelting capacity from the current 135 000 tons of concentrate to 380 000 tons of concentrate. A total of US$18,5 million was spent in the year on the project. The project is on course for commissioning of the smelter in January 2024 and the acid plant in August 2024.”-chronicle.zw