Almot Maqolo, Staff Writer 
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Zimbabwe’s platinum output for the first quarter of 2023 increased by three percent to 121 000 ounces, lifted by ongoing project developments, according to the World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC).
ANGLO American says platinum group metals (PGMs) output at Shurugwi-based Unki Mine increased two percent to 121 500 ounces in the first six months of 2023 from 119 600 ounces in the comparable period last year.
The miner said for the second quarter of 2023, Unki’s PGM production fell 11 percent to 59 000 ounces from 66 300 ounces in the second quarter of 2022.
On the other hand, second quarter output was also six percent down compared to the 62 500 ounces recorded in the first quarter in 2023.
“Production from our PGMs operations decreased by nine percent, mainly driven by short-term operational challenges and 2022 planned infrastructure closures at Amandelbult, as well as the planned ramp-down of Kroondal,” Anglo American said in a trading update.
Zimbabwe has the world’s second-largest PGMs resource, after South Africa, on the Great Dyke. It has three platinum-producing mines — Zimplats, Mimosa and Unki.
Zimbabwe’s platinum output for the first quarter of 2023 increased by three percent to 121 000 ounces, lifted by ongoing project developments, according to the World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC).This comes as the government has also been encouraging foreign investment in the mining industry to boost production and generate much-needed forex for the country.
In the same period last year, the country’s platinum output stood at 116 000 ounces. However, first quarter platinum production was down by a negligible two percent compared to the fourth quarter’s 123 000 ounces. Production is expected to reach a new high this year of around 502 000 ounces. The country’s platinum production surpassed 2022 estimates, but fell by a negligible one percent compared to 485 000 ounces in 2021.
Minister of Information, Monica Mutsvangwa, recently told a post-Cabinet media briefing that nine units are currently being built and that they will help the mining industry reach its US$12 billion goal.
The projects include the Dinson Colliery coke oven battery construction in Matabeleland North; the Lithium processing plant at Sabi Star in Manicaland; the Mimosa Mining Company optimisation of the concentrator plant in the Midlands; the RioZim Murowa 500 TPH Greenfields diamond plant and establishment of a ferrochrome smelter at Amazon in the Midlands; and the Tshingshan iron ore and chrome/coke value addition project in Mashonaland East.
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