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Unki platinum mine handed over to operations, exceeding ramp-up expectations.
The Unki platinum mine and concentrator plant, in Zimbabwe, have been
handed over to operations, reports primary producer of platinum-group
metals Anglo American Platinum (Amplats).
Amplats executive head of engineering and projects Ben Magara says the
project, which started in 2006, is on time, within budget and in
compliance with the approved scope.
The Unki platinum mine, which is situated at the Unki deposit
south-east of Shurugwi, is Amplats’ first operating mine in Zimbabwe
and is expected to produce about 69 000 oz/y of platinum.
Magara notes that both the mine and the concentrator plant are in the
ramp-up phase and the mine produced 130 000 milled tons of ore in
September.
The concentrator, which was commissioned at the end of last year,
produced 22 400 oz of platinum during the first half of this year. It
is exceeding its planned ramp-up profile of 120 000 t/m.
Further, the 17-km-long main access road to the mine has just been
resurfaced and construction work has started for the proposed housing
development at the Impali Source farm, in Shurugwi.
“The development of the local supply base remains key to empowering
local communities. In support of this drive, we have awarded the
multimillion-dollar construction contract for about 900 houses to a
local supplier,” he adds.
The Unki project included the development of a twin decline, with
eight equipped mining sections and associated ventilation shafts.
A 120 000 t/m concentrator with an asso- ciated tailings dam was
built, as well as a 8 km pipeline from the new Lucilia Poort dam to
the mine reservoirs.
Further, a 33 km power line was con- structed, as well as a 132/11 kV
substation.
A contactors camp, which can house 1 400 people, was also established.
It cost the platinum miner an estimated R3.4-billion to develop the
project, with R350-million allocated for 2012. The mine employs about
1 000 people on a direct and permanent basis.
Outlook
“The outlook continues to be positive, with production ramping up
well. “Costs are being contained, as the current operations are still
operating within the first quartile of the industry cost curve,” says
Magara.
He adds that safety performance remains a priority and it is being
managed in line with the company’s vision of ‘Zero Harm in Action’.
Giving Back to the Community
Amplats spent $2-million on community projects in the Unki area
between 2009 and 2011.
Bus shelters, boreholes and Blair toilets were constructed for
communities. A portion of the money was used to renovate and refurbish
the Chironde clinic’s shelter for mothers.
Personal protection equipment, medicine and paint were donated to the
local council, while a nearby hospital received an incinerator and a
R2-million donation towards cholera prevention initiatives.
The company also provided a nearby school with textbooks and a
server. - miningweekly
The Unki platinum mine and concentrator plant, in Zimbabwe, have been
handed over to operations, reports primary producer of platinum-group
metals Anglo American Platinum (Amplats).
Amplats executive head of engineering and projects Ben Magara says the
project, which started in 2006, is on time, within budget and in
compliance with the approved scope.
The Unki platinum mine, which is situated at the Unki deposit
south-east of Shurugwi, is Amplats’ first operating mine in Zimbabwe
and is expected to produce about 69 000 oz/y of platinum.
Magara notes that both the mine and the concentrator plant are in the
ramp-up phase and the mine produced 130 000 milled tons of ore in
September.
The concentrator, which was commissioned at the end of last year,
produced 22 400 oz of platinum during the first half of this year. It
is exceeding its planned ramp-up profile of 120 000 t/m.
Further, the 17-km-long main access road to the mine has just been
resurfaced and construction work has started for the proposed housing
development at the Impali Source farm, in Shurugwi.
“The development of the local supply base remains key to empowering
local communities. In support of this drive, we have awarded the
multimillion-dollar construction contract for about 900 houses to a
local supplier,” he adds.
The Unki project included the development of a twin decline, with
eight equipped mining sections and associated ventilation shafts.
A 120 000 t/m concentrator with an asso- ciated tailings dam was
built, as well as a 8 km pipeline from the new Lucilia Poort dam to
the mine reservoirs.
Further, a 33 km power line was con- structed, as well as a 132/11 kV
substation.
A contactors camp, which can house 1 400 people, was also established.
It cost the platinum miner an estimated R3.4-billion to develop the
project, with R350-million allocated for 2012. The mine employs about
1 000 people on a direct and permanent basis.
Outlook
“The outlook continues to be positive, with production ramping up
well. “Costs are being contained, as the current operations are still
operating within the first quartile of the industry cost curve,” says
Magara.
He adds that safety performance remains a priority and it is being
managed in line with the company’s vision of ‘Zero Harm in Action’.
Giving Back to the Community
Amplats spent $2-million on community projects in the Unki area
between 2009 and 2011.
Bus shelters, boreholes and Blair toilets were constructed for
communities. A portion of the money was used to renovate and refurbish
the Chironde clinic’s shelter for mothers.
Personal protection equipment, medicine and paint were donated to the
local council, while a nearby hospital received an incinerator and a
R2-million donation towards cholera prevention initiatives.
The company also provided a nearby school with textbooks and a
server. - miningweekly
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