.png)
The country’s leading platinum group metals (PGM) producer, Zimplats, is preparing to close operations at its Rukodzi Mine in June 2025, marking the end of a pivotal chapter in the history of one of its oldest mining assets.
By Ryan Chigoche
This closure comes on the heels of a highly successful pillar reclamation project that significantly boosted resource recovery while maintaining rigorous safety standards.
Pillar reclamation is the process of safely extracting ore from the pillars—large blocks of ore deliberately left in place during initial mining to support underground structures.
By reclaiming these pillars, Zimplats was able to increase the extraction ratio from 81% to nearly 91%, unlocking previously inaccessible ore without compromising mine stability.
Following the closure of primary mining in June 2022, Zimplats initiated pillar reclamation in July 2022, beginning with a carefully monitored one-year trial.
This phase focused on testing the feasibility and behaviour of pillar extraction while prioritising worker safety and underground stability.
The trial’s success enabled Zimplats to move into full production reclamation in July 2023.
Despite the mine’s initial closure announcement, production remained strong, averaging approximately 2,500 tonnes per day and approximately 18,500 tonnes per month—a remarkable achievement for a mine once considered closed.
This sustained output underscores the effectiveness of the reclamation strategy.
The operation, conducted at a maximum depth of 90 meters, employed around 190 people, including contractors, who worked with two production fleets.
A key aspect of the project was the disciplined mining sequence and the use of a 30-degree planer to maintain consistent extraction rates.
This approach helped manage stress redistribution underground, preventing pillar failures and ensuring safety throughout the process.
As reclamation nears completion, the worked-out areas have advanced closer to the mine declines, signalling the final stage of production at Rukodzi.
Zimplats’ pillar reclamation project at Rukodzi Mine exemplifies how innovation and meticulous planning can extend the life of ageing mining assets while maximising resource recovery and upholding the highest safety standards.
While Rukodzi will soon close, the success of this project sets a strong example for future reclamation efforts within Zimplats and the wider mining industry.
