Zimbabwe’s Mining Sector Gets a Boost as Zimplats Expands Operations

Senior Reporter

In a major boost to Zimbabwe’s economy, Zimplats, a leading platinum group metals producer, has made significant progress in its efforts to add value and beneficiate its products. The company has taken a major step forward in this direction with the construction of a new refinery, which is expected to produce nickel sulfate, copper plates, and precious metals.

The refinery, which is a key component of Zimplats’ value addition and beneficiation strategy, is being built at a cost of US$3.98 million. The company has already acquired the long-lead equipment required for the refinery and is currently focused on installation and construction.

Speaking during a tour of the company’s facilities in Mhondoro-Ngezi, Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando expressed his satisfaction with the progress made by Zimplats. “The focus of this particular visit is looking at the value addition aspects of Zimbabwe, as provided for in the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Zimplats and the government,” he said.

The MoU, which was signed for US$1.8 billion, aims to increase mining capacity and facilitate value addition, including the construction of a smelter and a refinery. Chitando emphasized the importance of value addition and beneficiation in Zimbabwe’s economic development. “Value addition and beneficiation is a key focus of the Zimbabwean government, and we are pleased to see Zimplats taking the lead in this area,” he said.

Zimplats Chief Technical Officer Amend Chiduma provided further details on the company’s value addition and beneficiation strategy. “We started off by building up the base, starting off with the mines, where we will be developing and upgrading two big mines,” he said. “We have actually completed one of the mines, which is about US$82 million, and we are on course to complete the development and upgrade of the second big mine.”

Chiduma also highlighted the importance of power infrastructure in supporting the company’s value addition and beneficiation efforts. “We are also building the power base as far as the power utility infrastructure is concerned,” he said. “It is a new substation where we are injecting some US$17 million again to upgrade that power utility network, and with the solar farm and the substation we are expanding, it means we are now ready to be able to supply power to the value addition complex we have here.”

The construction of the refinery is a significant milestone in Zimplats’ value addition and beneficiation strategy. The company has already acquired the necessary equipment and is currently focused on installation and construction. Once completed, the refinery is expected to produce high-value products such as nickel sulfate, copper plates, and precious metals, which will significantly enhance Zimbabwe’s export earnings.

Zimplats’ efforts to add value and beneficiate its products are a major boost to Zimbabwe’s economy. The construction of the refinery is a significant milestone in this direction, and the company’s commitment to value addition and beneficiation is expected to have a positive impact on the country’s economic development.