Unki Mines has invested US$48 million to boost its plant capacity, which is anticipated to consequently increase output by 30 percent. This is according to the general manager, Mr Walter Nemasasi who said that the new concentrator was planned for launching in September.
Mr Nemasasi was speaking during a recent visit of to the Shurugwi-based mine. The Minister of State for Presidential Affairs responsible for monitoring implementation of Government programmes, Dr Jorum Gumbo, was also present.
The general manager said the new plant was 75 percent complete and is anticipated to help minimalize operational costs.
In 2019, President Mnangagwa launched a US$60 million smelting plant at Unki mines. This freshly fabricated plant will therefore be a second significant value addition initiative by the mine.
“Once it becomes operational, the project is expected to increase production of platinum group concentrate at the plant by 30 percent and ultimately increase exports by the same margin,” Mr Nemasasi said.
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He said that the project was part of Unki Mines’ dedication to execute the government’s mineral enrichment process whose main aim is to accumulate maximum benefit from the mining industry.
“We are expecting to commission the new project by September and the total value will be around US$48 million. The project is so huge in that, once we finish, we will increase our production from 180 000 tonnes a month to 210 000 tonnes a month,” he explained.
The Minister of State for Presidential Affairs responsible for monitoring implementation of Government programmes, Dr Jorum Gumbo, who had also toured the plant expressed his pleasure saying that this investment would help the country attain its vision of creating an upper middle income economy by year 2030. He also added that this infrastructure upgrade was important for the local communities in terms of jobs creation sustainability and economic development.
“We need to see a new and modern city sprouting in the rural area as a token of appreciation once you leave this place in future since you are mining a finite resource.” He said.
