Impala Platinum Holdings Limited (Implats) and Sibanye Stillwater 50/50 owned Platinum group metals (PGM) producer Mimosa Mining Company during the Financial year ended 30 June 2023 recorded a 2.9 per cent decrease in tonnes milled compared to the previous year ended 30 June 2022 due to severe load-shedding.
Rudairo Mapuranga
According to Implats through its production update and initial trading statement for the year ended 30 June 2023, tonnes milled at Mimosa declined by 2.9 per cent to 2 735 000 from 2 816 000 during the previous year due to severe power cuts in the country.
“In addition to load curtailment at South African managed and JV operations during the period, severe load-shedding was experienced across the Zimbabwean national grid in March 2023, while operations at Mimosa were impacted by further intermittent power outages in May and June,” Implats said.
According to the trading update, Mimosa’s 6E Grade also declined by 1.4 per cent to 3.77g/t during the year ended 30 June 2023 from 3.82 g/t the previous year.
The group further stated that 6E in concentrate declined by 0.5 per cent to 245 000 ounces from 246 000 ounces the previous year due to power interruptions, changes in reagent supply and poor water quality.
“At Mimosa, 6E in concentrate volumes declined to 245000 ounces. Processing and plant stability was impacted by the commissioning and optimising of the concentrator project, power interruptions, changes in reagent supply and poor water quality,” Implats said.
