Platinum producer Impala Platinum (Implats) reports that the Phase 5,5 expansion of the Mimosa mine, in Zimbabwe, which is a joint venture with platinum producer Aquarius Platinum, has been completed. These improvements will ensure that the mine has the capacity to produce 100 000 oz/y.

Implats CEO David Brown says that the company is con-sidering additional expansion to increase return and reduce capital expenditure. Further growth potential exists through the exploitation of the North Hill and Mtshingwe resources, in Zimbabwe.

“Mimosa and Zimplats both have expansion opportunities, which Implats will investigate during the next 6 to 12 months,” he asserts.

Mimosa, a mechanised, shallow underground mine with a concentrator plant and 1 931 employees, including contractors, had a solid, trouble-free year during which all key production and expansion para- meters were met.

The Wedza Phase 5 expansion project, commissioned last year, has been completed. It focused on the extension of milling and tailings handling capacities to increase the extra flotation capacity created in Phase 4. As a result, the total tons milled increased by 21%, to 2,1-million tons, and production of platinum- in-concentrate rose 19%, to 91 500 oz, in 2009.

Unit costs were 35% higher year-on-year, mainly driven by higher input costs owing to the dollarisation of the Zimbabwe economy, inflation and the weaker rand:dollar exchange rate.

The operation delivered a good safety performance, with an improved lost-time injury frequency rate of 0,52, 41% better than in the previous year. Mimosa continues to work towards the group vision of zero harm by 2012.

Meanwhile, Implats has concentrated on improving Mimosa’s plant facility during the last couple of years, resulting in growth in production. Future growth potential exists through the exploitation of the available North Hill resource, which still has to be drilled. However, during the financial downturn, the mine has opted to expand rather than to drill. Brown asserts that, since mineral prices are improving, the demand may increase and Implats may decide to start drilling again at Mimosa.

“While the improvement of metal prices has been positive for Zimplats and Mimosa, the unstable political environment may still cause a few challenges for Implats. However, Implats remains positive and believes that Zimbabwe’s wealth of platinum resources makes it an attractive proposition for future production growth,” he concludes.

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