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Zimplats reports a 7% Decline in Mined Volumes

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Zimplats experienced a significant decline in mined volumes during the quarter ended December 2024, with total volumes down by 7% year-on-year and 8% lower than the previous quarter, Mining Zimbabwe reports.

By Ryan Chigoche

This downturn was primarily attributed to the poor availability of trackless mobile machinery (TMM) and intermittent power supply disruptions, which hindered the company’s operational momentum.

While production from Ngwarati Mine, which ceased primary operations in June 2024, was successfully replaced by increased output from the ramp-up in pillar reclamation at Rukodzi Mine and production at Mupani Mine, these measures were not enough to fully offset the lower volumes. The operational constraints weighed heavily on the overall performance, resulting in a decrease in mined volumes.

Despite these challenges, Zimplats achieved a 1% improvement in 6E head grade year-on-year, driven by higher-grade ore from Rukodzi and Mupani mines.

However, milled volumes also saw a decline, dropping by 6% year-on-year and 8% compared to the prior quarter, primarily due to lower ore supply and capacity constraints at the concentrator plants, which faced shutdowns for mill relines.

On a positive note, the commissioning of the expanded smelter boosted smelting capacity, which helped increase concentrator mass pull.

This improvement led to a 1% increase in concentrator recoveries year-on-year and a 4% increase from the preceding quarter. However, total 6E concentrate volumes of 158,803 ounces were 5% lower than in the same period last year and 4% down from the previous quarter.

Zimplats also continued to optimize its operations, focusing on the 38MW furnace commissioned in the prior quarter. A total of 47,900 tonnes of concentrate were smelted during the period, contributing to enhanced smelting capacity. Additionally, the hot commissioning of the expanded smelter converters began in December 2024 and was progressing well by the quarter’s end.

The company also faced challenges with the accumulation of concentrates ahead of converter commissioning, exacerbated by furnace inventory build-up during its ‘first fill’ phase.

By the close of the quarter, approximately 30,600 ounces of 6E had accumulated between the concentrate and furnace matte. Of this, about 21,500 ounces will be processed into converter matte in the second half of the year, while the remainder will be permanently locked up in the larger furnace.

While Zimplats worked to overcome these operational hurdles, the company remains focused on improving its asset optimization efforts and increasing production at Rukodzi and Mupani mines in the coming quarters.

With these adjustments, Zimplats hopes to recover from the declines in mined and milled volumes seen in the December 2024 quarter.

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