Published: 28 October 2013

Aquarius Platinum Ltd and Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd are assessing whether to dig a second shaft to expand production at their Mimosa platinum mine in Zimbabwe, Mr Winston Chitando, chairman of the operation, said.

"We are in the process of undertaking a feasibility study," Mr Chitando said in an interview at the mine, near Zvishavane.

"There is work taking place in assessing various options," he said, declining to give further details. Mimosa is one of three operating platinum mines in Zimbabwe, which has the second-biggest reserves of the metal after South Africa.

Zimbabwe Platinum Mines Ltd, a unit of Johannesburg-based Impala, and Anglo American Platinum Ltd also run mines in the country. Mimosa produced about 218 000 ounces of platinum group metals in its last financial year.

By law, mining companies operating in Zimbabwe must sell or cede 51 percent of their local assets to indigenous citizens of the country or the Government.

"There are discussions which are taking place with Government," Mr Chitando said.

"So far we are happy with them."


- Bloomberg

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