Zimplats ups production in Q3

Harare, (New Ziana) – Platinum miner, Zimplats said on Thursday it increased ore production for the quarter ended September this year by seven percent to 1 796 tons compared to the previous one.

In the period, Zimplats said mined tonnage was also 10 percent higher than the same period last year.

“This was mainly due to improved fleet productivity and additional tonnage from Mupani Mine, which is still under development,” it said.

“Tons milled increased by 9 percent (to 1 705 tonnes) from the previous quarter due to an increase in mill running time. Running time was impacted in the previous quarter by planned shutdowns for mill relines at both concentrators.”

As a result of higher mill volumes, production of 6E minerals namely platinum, palladium, gold, rhodium, ruthenium and iridium increased by 3 percent to 151 458 ounces.

However, Zimplats said operating cash costs increased by 15 percent from the previous quarter mainly due to the increase in mined and milled tonnage.

“This was further impacted by higher selling expenses due to the increase in concentrate exported during the period of the furnace rebuild. As a result, operating cash cost per platinum ounce increased by 2 percent from the previous quarter,” the company said.

New Ziana