Zimplats Invests Over Half a Million to Preserve Water
The country’s biggest platinum group metals (PGM) producer, Zimplats, invested US$580,000 to implement water stewardship, reduce freshwater withdrawals, enhance recycling, and continuously improve water use efficiency to prevent pollution.
“Water is a vital resource for our operations and the communities around them. Water management is critical as our Southern African sites are in water-scarce areas.
“We reduce freshwater withdrawals, enhance recycling, continuously improve our water use efficiency, prevent pollution, and support host communities,” Zimplats said in a statement earlier this year.
Through its US$580,000 investment, the group has embarked on the following projects:
- Extension of the Chitsuwa pipeline to reduce water losses and unauthorized abstraction. The pipeline was commissioned this year.
- Implementation of the Turf sewage water recycling project, which will avail an additional 2,160 Ml of recycled/reused water and assist Zimplats in reducing freshwater intake.
- Conducted a catchment area study evaluating potential dam sites based on yield and risk.
- Continued engagement with stakeholders and advancement of studies into potential water recycling and water efficiency projects.