STAFF WRITER
Zimbabwe’s largest platinum miner, Zimplats, reported low output in the quarter to March 31, 2021 owing to the closure of operations at its Ngwarati Mine early this year.
The mine was shut down after a portion of the high wall subsided, fatally injuring an employee.
“As a result, tonnes mined, milled grade and process recoveries were all negatively affected during the quarter.
“Tonnes milled were stable at 1.7m tonnes while the delivered mill grade declined by two percent.
“The ore mix impacted process recoveries and 6E (six elements) concentrate production fell by 8% to 138 000 ounces,” Implats, which owns Zimplats said in a statement accompanying financial results for the period under review.
The 6E comprises platinum, palladium, gold, rhodium, ruthenium and iridium. A furnace reline was completed during the period under review and matte production including concentrate sold to Impala Refining Services (IRS) of 137 000 ounces was 10 percent weaker than in the previous comparable period.
For the nine months to March 31, 2021, the impact of challenges experienced at Zimplats was mitigated by strong operational delivery prior to the Ngwarati Mine incident.
“Mill throughput of 5,06m tonnes declined marginally from 5,08m tonnes, with grade and 6E concentrate production 1% and 3% weaker at 3,46 grammes per tonne and 435 000 ounces, respectively.
“6E matte production in the nine-month period increased by 1% to 425 000 ounces,” Implats said.
