Name and Location
Ngezi platinum mine expansion, Zimbabwe.

Client
Zimplats, a subsidiary of Impala Platinum Holdings (Implats).

Project Description
The Phase 1 expansion project allowed for the simultaneous development of mining Portals 1 and 4 at Ngezi platinum mine, and the construction of a new two-million-tonne-a-year concentrator, 715 new staff houses near Ngezi and the upgrade of amenities in the area.

The expansion increased the mine's overall throughput from 2.2-million tonnes a year to 3.6-million tonnes a year.

The Phase 2 expansion was approved in May 2010 and will consist of a two-million-tonne-a-year underground mine, a concentrator module of the same capacity and related infrastructure. It is expected to increase production from 180 000 oz/y to 270 000 oz/y.

Value
Phase 1 - $340-million.
Phase 2 - $460-million.

Duration
Full production is expected in 2015.

Latest Developments
The new Phase 2 concentrator plant was successfully commissioned in April 2013.

The rated throughput of the plant has been achieved and the build-up of ore reserves through the new Mupfuti portal (Portal 3) is progressing on schedule.

Construction of the underground crusher at the portal is scheduled to start in January 2014 and is expected to be completed by August 2014.

Full production of 90 000 oz/y is planned for 2015, which will take total production to 270 000 oz/y of platinum.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and Absa Bank (finance), DRA Mineral Projects (engineering, procurement and construction management contract), Stefanutti Stocks (main civils contractor), JR Goddard Contracting (main earthworks contractor), Searlcom (main housing contractor), High Voltage Construction (main electrical contractor), Cosira Projects (main structural steelwork and mechanical contractor), Sandvik Mining & Construction (materials handling consultant), Mining Pressure System (pipe-work contractor) and Multotec (mill classification cyclone cluster supplier).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Zimplats, tel +263 4 332 590/3 or fax +263 4 332 496 or email info@zimplats.co.za.
DRA Mineral Projects, tel +27 11 202 8600 or fax +27 11 202 8807.
Stefanutti Stocks, tel +27 11 571 4319.
JR Goddard Contracting, tel +263 11 207984.
Searlcom,  tel +263 4 486585.
High Voltage Construction, tel +263 912 241969.
Sandvik Mining & Construction, Livio Talocchino, cell +27 82 575 2928.
Mining Pressure System, Mike Neves, cell +27 82 895 8650.
Multotec, tel +27 11 923 6000, fax +27 11 394 5099/8701 or email marketing@multotec.co.za.