Zimbabwe’s biggest platinum producer Zimplats is confident that the implementation of the 35MW solar plant at Selous Metallurgical Complex (SMC) which is Phase 1 of the company’s US$201 million 185MW solar project will be completed end of July 2023.
Rudairo Mapuranga
This was revealed during the official commissioning of the US$104 million third concentrator plant for Zimplats mine in Ngezi recently. The third concentrator plant is part of the 3rd phase of expansion programmes with an investment tag of a potential US$1.8 billion. The programme began following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Zimplats and the Government in 2021.
According to Implats (Zimplats owners) Chairperson Thandi Orleyn, the third concentrator whose construction began in January 2021 and ended in August last year is expected to help production by 13 per cent.
“Your Excellency investment of US$104 million was outplayed in the development of the 3rd Concentrator project that was completed in a record time of 20 months. During the development phase, the project employed a peak of 700 people creating so much-needed jobs in the local communities and the country in general. Nearly 6000 jobs will be created in the execution of the potential US$1,8 billion project generating incomes at household levels for several families in the country and substantial revenue flows to fiscus,” Orleyn said.
The ongoing US$1.8 billion expansion programme, of which US$1.4 billion has already been approved by the Zimplats board and shareholders began last quarter of calendar year 2021.
With the new investment, Zimplats will add 180,000 ounces to production per year. In 2022, Zimplats produced 583,000 ounces.
Projects under the US$1.8 billion investment include:
- The development of a new mine, Mupani, and the upgrade of the Bimha Mine. So far, Zimplats has spent US$295 million out of a budget of US$468 million for this.
- A US$521 million expansion of smelter capacity. So far, Zimplats has spent US$66.6 million.
- A base metal refinery that will meet part of the country’s ambitions for local value addition.
- A 185MW solar plant for US$201 million. The first phase of 35MW will be completed in July.
