Zimbabwe platinum giant Zimplats is undertaking a US$1.8 billion expansion programme comprising nine projects which will be implemented over a 10-year period, Great Dyke News 24 reports.
According to a statement released to Great Dyke News24, the mining giant yesterday held a safety symposium for contractors who will be working with the company on various aspects of the expansion programme.
“More than 160 participants representing over 70 contractors attended the symposium that was held at the company’s premises in Mhondoro- Ngezi. Zimplats is undertaking a US$1.8 billion expansion programme comprising nine projects which will be implemented over a 10-year period. These include:
‘Development of Mupani mine to replace Rukodzi and Ngwarati mines at a cost of US$388 million.
“Construction of a third Concentrator Plant at a cost of US$133million with a nameplate capacity of 0.9Mtpa. The project is scheduled for commissioning in first-quarter of FY2023
“Implementation of the SMC concentrator tailings dam extension project to sustain the operation at the termination of the existing tailings storage facility (TSF) when it reaches its maximum design height of 43m.
“Sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions abatement (US$200m) and smelter expansion (US$280m) projects at SMC. Platinum Group Metals (PGM) Base Metal refinery plant at SMC (US$200m). Implementation of employee houses project in Turf, an additional 1052 houses and 340 houses in Chegutu (for SMC employees) at a cost of US$20m.
“110 MWAC Solar power plant (US$201m), investment in the development of a 185MW solar photovoltaic plant. Hartley mine development (US$289m), to increase overall Zimplats ore production to 8.8Mtpa by FY2028. Bimha mine upgrade (US$82m),” reads the statement.
According to the statement, the expansion programme will bring together a significant number of contractors.
“Zimplats currently has nearly 7000 employees working at both the company’s Ngezi and Selous sites. Three thousand and five hundred of these are contract employees and the numbers are expected to double over the next five years.
“Participants at the symposium were encouraged to invest in recognised systems, cultivating safe employee behaviour and creating a workplace environment that promotes safety,” reads part of the statement.
According to Zimplats, at the end of the symposium, all the contractor companies signed a pledge committing to lead by example in cultivating a safe production culture, promoting values of respect , care and delivery, and supporting the quest for sustainable zero harm whilst subscribing to the various quality systems that are the bedrock of Zimplats’ operations.
