By Business Reporter – Wednesday 15 May 2019
HARARE (Mining Index) – SHURUGWI-based Anglo-American platinum miners, Unki Mine’s $62 million platinum plant is expected to smelt approximately 623 000 tonnes of platinum concentrate per annum.
Construction of the smelting plant which commenced in 2016, has seen the company now locally processing its mineral ore, with production anticipated to rise to 0,49 million ounces (moz) by 2026.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to commission the smelter plant.
Zimbabwe has over the years lost billions of potential revenue by exporting unprocessed minerals, resulting in externalisation of other minerals as they cannot be accounted for.
Government made a clarion call to promote mineral beneficiation, an opportunity for Zimbabwe to refine local minerals before exportation so as to realise more revenue, create employment, enhance expertise and develop infrastructure.
Unki mine represents one of the largest platinum deposits in Zimbabwe having estimated reserves of 34 million ounces of platinum.
Zimplats and Mimosa are also in the process of constructing platinum smelting and refinery plants. ENDS//
