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Unki Mine, Anglo American Platinum’s key Zimbabwean operation, recorded a 15% drop in platinum group metal (PGM) output in the first quarter of 2025, producing 53,600 ounces. The decline was mainly driven by expected lower ore grades, a slight dip in recovery rates, and the impact of a five-day planned maintenance shutdown at the processing plant.
By Ryan Chigoche
Located in Shurugwi, Unki Mine holds an estimated 34 million ounces in reserves and typically produces about 64,000 ounces of platinum annually. Despite the first-quarter setback, Unki remains a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s formal mining sector and a strategic asset within the Anglo American Platinum portfolio.
Unki’s performance reflects broader operational challenges faced by Anglo American Platinum in Q1 2025. Group-wide, own-managed PGM production declined by 8% to 462,000 ounces, largely due to severe flooding at the Tumela mine in South Africa following heavy rains in February. Excluding this weather-related impact, production would have remained consistent with the previous year.
The group’s other operations also reported mixed results. Modikwa Mine, a 50%-owned asset, saw an 11% decline in production to 29,400 ounces. This was attributed to lower recovery rates at the concentrator following the introduction of open-pit material during the quarter. This new feed is set to fully ramp up in Q2 2025 and will replace volumes from the high-cost South 1 shaft, which is scheduled for closure in the first half of the year.
However, not all updates were negative. Mogalakwena Mine, the group’s flagship open-pit operation, delivered a 3% increase in PGM production to 227,000 ounces. This improvement was driven by higher concentrator throughput and slightly improved ore grades. The 4E head grade of 2.48g/t was in line with expectations and supports the mine’s full-year target of a 2.7–2.9g/t blended grade.
Mototolo Mine also posted a positive performance, with production rising 7% to 66,200 ounces. This growth reflects the successful implementation of a new seven-day mining shift cycle introduced in the second quarter of 2024, aimed at increasing productivity and operational efficiency.
In addition to production figures, the group noted a 29% drop in purchased PGM concentrate volumes, mainly due to Kroondal’s transition to a tolling arrangement and reduced deliveries from third parties. Refined PGM production fell by 30% to 437,100 ounces, affected by regular first-quarter maintenance, a triennial stock count, and lower mined volumes.
Sales volumes were similarly down 30%, in line with refined output.
Nonetheless, Anglo American Platinum maintained its 2025 guidance, projecting total PGM production (metal-in-concentrate and refined) between 3.0 and 3.4 million ounces. Cost guidance also remains unchanged, with expected cash operating costs of R17,500–R18,500 per PGM ounce and all-in sustaining costs between US$970 and US$1,000 per 3E ounce.
On a positive note, safety performance improved across the group, with no fatalities reported and a 7% reduction in the total recordable injury frequency rate (TRIFR), which stood at 1.70 per million hours worked.
As Unki Mine and other operations stabilise after a tough quarter, the group is cautiously optimistic about improving performance in the months ahead, supported by cost discipline, operational reforms, and targeted ramp-ups, the group reported.
