AmPlats owns Unki Mine in Shurugwi, south of Zimbabwe, where it produced 22 400 ounces of the precious mineral in the first six months of the year – 7 900 ounces more than expected.
Johannesburg-based Amplats aims to produce 120 000 tonnes per month at Unki, depending on the ongoing discussions.
“We have the opportunity to expand this (Unki) mine and we plan steady organic growth as we ramp up the first phase. We are working with government to resolve the Mining Rights issues and are confident of a positive outcome,” the company said.
The company expressed confidence of a positive outcome in spite of the Zimbabwean government’s notoriety for flouting mining rights as well as its plans to take a major stake in foreign-owned mining firms.
The Unki Platinum Mine Project became operational in January 2011 and is expected to reach steady state production of 120 000 tonnes milled per month about a year ahead of schedule.
The company said civil construction work on employee housing has started in Shurungwi and the access road to the mine was currently being surfaced for all-weather purposes.
However, its prospects have been weighed down by lack of capacity to produce the mineral owing to economic problems. Analysts argue government’s move to call for foreign-owned mining companies to cede a major stake would impact negatively on the production of the lucrative mineral.
Post published in: Business