Zimbabwe’s third-largest platinum group metal (PGM) producer, Unki Mine, recorded a 2% decline in PGM production in Q4 2024, reaching 60,300 ounces, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
According to Unki’s parent company, Anglo American Platinum (Amplats), the decrease was mainly due to a three-day national power outage that disrupted operations. Despite this, Unki remains a significant player in Zimbabwe’s PGM sector.
Unki’s 2024 production faced challenges earlier in the year, as highlighted in a previous report showing a 7% drop in production during Q2 2024. The decline to 54,700 ounces was attributed to mining through a lower-grade section. Platinum production in that period also dropped by 9% to 25,700 ounces compared to the second quarter of 2023.
According to Amplats CEO Craig Miller, the company is committed to improving safety and production.
“We are resolute in our commitment to eliminate fatalities from our workplace and ensure zero harm becomes a daily reality.”
Despite setbacks in other mines, Unki continues to play a vital role in Amplats’ overall production efforts.
In Q4 2024, Amplats reported total PGM production of 875,700 ounces, a 6% decrease compared to Q4 2023. However, own-mined production increased by 1%, reflecting stability in several operations, including Unki, which showed improvements following its Q2 decline.
Amplats also achieved a 20% increase in total nickel production to 7,300 tonnes in Q2 2024, with Unki contributing to this milestone. Despite challenges in PGM prices, including a 37% drop in rhodium prices during Q2 2024, Unki’s resilience continues to drive its operations forward.
With operational improvements underway, Unki Mine remains a key asset for Anglo American Platinum as the company looks to maintain stability and increase production in 2025.
