- Zimplats has announced its capital investment strategy with a budget of US$1.8 billion which includes solar PV technology totalling 185MW.
- The new pojects will be implemented over a 10-year period beginning in 2021, with US$1.2 billion already approved for implementation.
- Zimplats’ business is mining and production of platinum and associated metals from the Great Dyke in Zimbabwe.
The company’s press statement announced that the projects, including those that are currently in process of being approved, will concentrate on:
- Maintaining current production levels through mine replacements and upgrades (US$516 million);
- Expanding production levels through growth projects, including the development of a new mine and increased processing capacity, which will boost nameplate capacity from 6.7 million tonnes per annum to 8.8 million tonnes per annum and in-country processing capacity to 380 000 tonnes of concentrate per year, and the establishment of an abatement facility to mitigate sulphuric dioxide emissions emanating from the current and expanded smelting capacity (US$969 million);
- Refurbishing the mothballed base metal refinery, to further beneficiate converter matte (US$100 million); and
- Investing in a 185MW solar plant to augment power supplies and enhance ESG performance metrics to maintain Zimplats licence to operate (US$201 million).
The projects are expected to be funded by internally generated resources the company said.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
