Unki Mines Invests US$48m To Increase Plant Capacity
Unki Mines has invested US$48 million towards increasing its concentrator capacity, which is expected to boost output by 30 per cent.
Unki Mines general manager, Walter Nemasasi, said the new concentrator was set for commissioning sometime in September this year.
He said the new plant was now 75 per cent complete and is expected to help cut operational costs.
Nemasasi revealed this while briefing the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs responsible for monitoring and implementation of Government programmes, Jorum Gumbo, during a recent visit to the Shurugwi-based platinum mine. He said:
Once it becomes operational, the project is expected to increase production of platinum group concentrate at the plant by 30 per cent and ultimately increase exports by the same margin.
We are expecting to commission the new project by September and the total value will be around $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.
We will then cut our transport costs by 60 per cent as most of the ore will be processed here before being exported for separation of base metals and precious stones.
Minister Gumbo said he was impressed by the fact that the new project has created more jobs for local people.
He said Unki is also consulting traditional leaders in all the developments it is undertaking and he urged all mines to take a cue from the platinum miner.
