Name of the Project
Mupani mine – Portal 6 development project.

Location
Zimbabwe.

Client
Zimbabwe Platinum Mines, Zimplats’ main operating subsidiary.

Project Description
The project entails the construction of a new 2.2-million-tonne-a-year underground platinum mining complex.

The new complex will replace production from the Rukodzi and Ngwarati mines, once these have been mined out and closed.

Jobs to be Created
The mine will employ an estimated 1 000 people at full production and a substantial number of contractors will be employed during the development, construction and commissioning of the project.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Value
$264-million.

Duration
Developing the main underground access infrastructure comprising 1 105 m down to the position of the first planned reef panels is expected to take 37 months to complete, which will allow for the first mining teams to be deployed from early 2021. Design capacity of 2.2-million tonnes a year is targeted for 2025, when the full complement of mining teams – nine production teams and one development team – will be deployed. At this rate, the new mine will have a life expectancy of 34 years, extracting only the relatively flat ore reserves from 0° to 9°.

Latest Developments
The Impala Platinum and Zimplats boards of directors gave their respective approvals for Zimplats’ main operating subsidiary in Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Platinum Mines, to proceed with the development of the Mupani mine in November 2016.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Zimplats CEO Alex Mhembere, tel +263 4 886 888, fax + 263 4 886 876 email alex.mhembere@zimplats.com.