Staff Reporter

Platinum production at the second largest Platinum Group Metal (PGM), Unki Mine has increased drastically due to value addition efforts.

A source within Unki Mine has informed this publication that 2022 was the mine’s best performance year. The Mine produced 232 000 ounces of PGM as compared to 205 000 ounces of PGM during the same period of 2021 to 2022.

"We saw strong platinum production from our Unki and Mutotolo operations achieving new records, as from August 2022 to February 2023 we have produced 232 000 ounces of PGM as compared to 205 000 ounces during the same period of 2021 to 2022," said the source.

According to the same source the increase in production has been as a result of the establishment of a smelter which was commissioned by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2019. He also further highlighted that Unki Mine is in the process of installing a solar plant at the mine.

"The increase in production can be attributed to the establishment of the US$62 million smelter plant which was commissioned by President Mnangagwa in 2019. The whole idea was to increase production output by 25% percent and also increase exports by the same percentage. At the moment Unki Mine is in the process of establishing a solar power plant which will generate about 40 megawatts," said the source.

A mining expert Tonny Muzera also applauded the second republic for its efforts to value add minerals in the country as seen by the establishment of the smelter, adding that this will go a long way in envisioning a US$12 billion mining industry by 2023.

"The smelting plant is a major boost in the Government’s drive of value addition and beneficiation, that will see the country successfully attaining the US$12 billion mining industry by 2023 with platinum expected to contribute US$3 billion," said Muzera.

Meanwhile, Parliament has begun public hearings on the Mines and Mining Amendment Bill that seeks to find ways of conflict resolution between miners and farmers through negotiations, referring disputes to the courts and to other specified channels.