The new underground mining complex will replace production from the Rukodzi and Ngwarati mines once these are mined out and closed.

Early project work, including mining the box-cut and constructing the main access road, project offices and other essential project infrastructure, began in June.

The box cut is now complete and preparations to start developing the main underground access have been initiated.

Developing the main underground access infrastructure (1,105m) to the position of the first planned reef panels is expected to take 37 months, which will allow the first mining teams to be deployed from early 2021.

Design capacity of 2.2Mt/y is targeted in 2025 when the full complement of ten mining teams (nine production and one development team) will be deployed. At this rate, the new mine will have a life expectancy of 34 years extracting only the relatively flat ore reserves (0-9 degrees).

The project will increase Zimplats’ mineral reserves by 3-9Moz.

Mupani mine will employ approximately 1,000 people at full production and a substantial number of contractors will be employed during the development, construction and commissioning of the project.

Once commissioned, the mined ore will be beneficiated in the Ngezi/Selous processing facilities and smelted in the 12.5MW Zimplats furnace, which was recently equipped with modern remote-controlled hydraulic mud guns for safe furnace tapping and upgraded furnace automation for online condition monitoring and safe process control.