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The country’s largest platinum producer Zimplats recorded a 13 percent decrease in production as the closure of its Bimha Mine in August took its toll on mill throughput.
In a trading update for the first quarter to September 2014, Zimplats’ parent company Implats said mill throughput went down from 1,51 million tonnes in the prior year to 1,32 million tonnes.

The company closed Bimha Mine in August following the mine’s collapse, triggered by the accelerated deterioration of ground conditions.

“As a result, platinum in matte decreased by 8 000 ounces (13 percent) to 52 000 ounces, compared to 60 000 ounces in the prior corresponding period. Six out of the eight mining crews and their fleets at the Bimha Mine have been successfully redeployed at other mining operations to mitigate the production impact.

Together with the ramp-up of the Phase 2 expansion project scheduled to reach full production during the second half of the financial year, platinum production is now only expected to be negatively impacted by 30 000 platinum ounces compared to the original guidance of 70 000 ounces for the financial year,” the company said.

Production at Mimosa was, however, up 4 percent to 636 000 tonnes compared to 611 000 tonnes in the corresponding period.

The company said increased throughput together with improved recoveries at the mine improved production by 12 percent to 29 000 ounces, compared to 26 000 ounces in the prior corresponding period.

Implats chief executive Terence Goodlace said: “This has been a challenging quarter, post the five-month strike, with gross platinum production down 25,5 percent to 280 000 ounces on the comparable quarter last year, impacted mainly by the ramp-up at Impala Rustenburg.

Production volumes at Zimplats and Marula were also lower due to the safety closure of the Bimha Mine and labour and safety impacts at Marula.

“Despite these challenges, we expect the Rustenburg operation to achieve full production thereby enabling us to maintain our guidance for the full year, which includes 250 000 ounces and 575 000 ounces of platinum from Impala Rustenburg operation at the half and full year respectively.” – BH24.