Unki Mine, Zimbabwe’s third-largest producer of platinum group metals (PGMs), will invest US$700,000 in 2025 to expand its open-pit operations and solar energy infrastructure, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
According to the 2025 Commodity Outlook Report by the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe, the mine will allocate US$500,000 to open-pit expansion and US$200,000 to solar projects. These efforts are expected to boost production by 1% while improving energy resilience and operational efficiency.
The investment comes as Unki faces production setbacks. In Q4 2024, PGM output fell 2% to 60,300 ounces due to a three-day nationwide power outage, according to its parent company, Anglo American Platinum (Amplats).
Earlier in 2024, Unki faced more challenges. In Q2, production dropped 7% to 54,700 ounces after mining through a lower-grade ore zone. Platinum output declined 9% to 25,700 ounces compared to Q2 2023.
Amplats CEO Craig Miller reaffirmed the company’s focus on safety and sustainability, stating, “We are resolute in our commitment to eliminate fatalities from our workplace and ensure zero harm becomes a daily reality.”
Despite challenges, Unki remains a key asset for Amplats. The Q4 2024 report showed a 6% decline in total group PGM output to 875,700 ounces, though own-mined production rose 1%, reflecting improved operations at mines like Unki.
Unki also contributed to a 20% increase in Amplats’ nickel production in Q2 2024, with total output reaching 7,300 tonnes. This resilience, despite a 37% drop in global rhodium prices, highlights the mine’s strategic value.
The US$700,000 investment in expansion and renewable energy positions Unki for stability and growth in 2025, reinforcing its role in Zimbabwe’s PGM sector and contribution to national mining revenues.
