Zim to double platinum production
ZIMBABWE is on course to double platinum production by 2023 as well as value add the mineral through the construction of local base and precious metal refineries, Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando has said.
Zimbabwe, in line with President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 target, intends to grow its annual mineral exports earnings from the current US$2 billion to US$12 billion by 2023, and Government is working on a number of strategies towards attaining this target.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail Business on Friday, Minister Chitando said Government has so far received input which it is considering for incorporation into the new platinum development policy to be launched in the first quarter of 2019.
Government also projects increased economic activity as the three major producers — Zimplats, Mimosa and Unki – all have plans of implementing value addition strategies, while the new investor, Karo Resources, has committed to constructing a refinery.
Platinum production involves mining of ore, production of concentrate, smelting of concentrate into ore, production of base minerals from a base metal refinery, and, finally, precious metals from a precious metal refinery.
Currently, the country’s largest platinum producer, Zimplats, is at matte stage, Mimosa is at concentrate stage of value addition and Unki has just finished construction of a smelter which will enable it to produce matte.
Proposals by the Platinum Producers Association to jointly establish base and precious metal refineries are a significant step in fulfilment of Government’s value-addition drive.
source:The Sunday Mail