Zimbabwe’s largest platinum producer and a subsidiary of Impala Platinum Holdings (Implats), Zimplats, has announced a delay in the completion of its much-anticipated Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂) abatement plant. The company’s operations account for 79% of Implats’ total direct SO₂ emissions, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
Initially scheduled for completion in June 2026, the project has now been postponed to June 2028 due to capital constraints, according to the Implats 2024 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report.
The R4 billion smelter upgrade project, which began in 2022, includes the installation of best-in-class SO₂ abatement equipment. This equipment is critical for reducing harmful SO₂ emissions at Zimplats’ operations. Once completed, the project will bring the plant’s SO₂ emissions well below South Africa’s legislated limit of 1,200 mg/Nm³ for point-source emissions, ensuring Zimplats operates within strict environmental standards.
The delay comes as Zimplats continues to contribute significantly to the Group’s direct SO₂ emissions. In 2024, Zimplats’ operations were responsible for 79% of Implats’ total direct SO₂ emissions, up from 78% in 2023. This makes Zimplats the single largest contributor to SO₂ emissions within the Implats Group, highlighting the urgency of implementing the abatement project.
Implats’ other major operations, including the Rustenburg smelter and refineries, contributed the remaining 21% of emissions in 2024. The Rustenburg smelter, which operates without SO₂ abatement equipment, along with the coal-fired boilers at the refineries, collectively emitted 31,057 tonnes of SO₂ in 2023.
Once completed in 2028, the SO₂ abatement project will drastically reduce emissions from Zimplats’ smelter, bringing the operation into full compliance with global environmental standards. This development is crucial not only for improving air quality but also for addressing long-standing environmental concerns associated with sulphur dioxide emissions from smelting operations.
Despite capital constraints delaying the project, Zimplats remains committed to completing the upgrade as part of its broader efforts to align with international environmental governance frameworks. The abatement plant will mark a significant step forward in the Group’s sustainability goals, improving environmental outcomes for both local communities and the broader region.
As the largest platinum producer in Zimbabwe and a key player in the global PGM market, Zimplats’ efforts to reduce its environmental footprint will play a critical role in ensuring the long-term sustainability of its operations while protecting public health and the environment.
