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

Location
The project is located on the Great Dyke, in Zimbabwe.

Project Owner/s
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 they have been mined out and closed, which is expected in 2022 and 2025 respectively.

The life-of-mine is estimated at 34 years.

Potential Job Creation
The mine will employ an estimated 1 000 people at full production. A substantial number of contractors will be employed during the development, construction and commissioning of the project. A significant number of employees at the mining operations will be from the local community.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
$264-million.

Planned Start/End Date
Full production capacity of 2.2-million tonnes will be reached in 2025.

Latest Developments
Excellent progress was made on the project during the year to June 30, 2020.

The replacement for Ngwarati and Rukodzi mines decline development and overall project progress remains well ahead of schedule, with estimated steady-state production expected in July 2024.

A total of 260 172 t of ore, at an average platinum, palladium, rhodium, gold, iridium and ruthenium head grade of 3.07 g/t has been mined to date.

Commissioning of the first exhaust ventilation shaft and surface crusher is expected in August and October 2020 respectively. A total of $98-million of the budget of $264-million had been spent at the end of the reporting period.

A decision has been taken to accelerate the Mupani project to deliver incremental volume growth at Zimplats.

A bankable feasibility study on a modular concentrator expansion is expected in the first half of the 2021 financial year.

Forecast capital investment of $38-million over two years could increase monthly milling capacity and ounce production by 40 000 t/y, and 42 500 oz/y in concentrate of platinum, palladium, rhodium, gold, iridium and ruthenium.

Commissioning is expected in the first quarter of the 2022 financial year, with $10-million allotted for investment in an additional mining fleet and labour to facilitate the early ramp-up of ore production from the Mupani portal.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Zimplats, tel +263 6821 44667.

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