Implats suffered production losses at two mines in the first quarter of this year, but reported that its output was up nine percent for the past nine months. Production rose from 1,26-million ounces in the corresponding nine months of 2010 to 1,38-million ounces during the last three quarters combined.
The increase follows the additional toll treating of third-party material at Impala Refining Services where platinum production rose by 7 per cent to 655 000 oz and better throughput at Impala, said Group Corporate Relations Manager, Alice Lourens.
The company said it was still involved in indigenisation talks with the Zimbabwean government, especially on local equity ownership, empowerment credits for the release of mineral rights and social upliftment.
At the project level in Zimbabwe, the companys Zimplats mine is operating at a yearly first-phase nameplate capacity of 180 000 oz of refined platinum, while the ramp-up at Bimha mine is close to completion.
The second-phase expansion to 270 000 oz remains on track at Zimplats. Tons milled in the nine months at the Mimosa mine in Zimbabwe remained unchanged at 1,7 million, the same with platinum production in concentrate at 77 000 oz, while unit cost for every platinum ounce produced by the group rose by 5,4 per cent.
The companys plan has always centred around the three pillars of equity, empowerment credits for the release of mineral rights and social-upliftment respectively. These remain the cornerstone of our ongoing discussions, added Lourens.
Post published in: News