HARARE — Zimplats, the Zimbabwean unit of JSE-listed Impala Platinum Holdings, on Friday announced that an underground mine collapse had affected 50% of the mine’s output — although no casualties had been reported.
According to a statement, Zimplats said the collapse had affected nearly 50% of the current mining output at the Bimha Mine, the largest of the four mines run by the miner in the country.
“We seek to advise that a major underground collapse occurred at one of our mines at the Ngezi site, 150km southeast of Harare. As a result of the proactive response from the management team and the timely evacuation of all personnel, no injuries or damage of mobile equipment were reported,” read part of the statement from Alex Mhembere, the CE at Zimplats, on Friday.
Mr Mhembere attributed the collapse to the accelerated deterioration of ground conditions associated with a major shear, the Mutambara Shear, which cuts through half of the mining area.
“The fault was first identified in 2011 but has become more problematic over the last year, both along the declines and within the stopping footprint of the Bimha Mine,” he said.
“A number of initiatives to address regional ground stability and employee safety have been undertaken during this period at a cost of more than $6m.”
Information gained from ground-monitoring equipment has led to a decision to abandon and permanently close about half of the mining footprint in areas where major falls of ground have occurred, Zimplats said.
“As a result, production from the Bimha Mine has been down-scaled by 50%, equating to 45,000oz of platinum in matte production. Preliminary estimates indicate that it will take 15 months (two on twin decline development) to reach full production of eight fleets, and 50 months to reconnect to current declines,” Mr Mhembere said.
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Experts have been tasked with conducting detailed investigations and making recommendations on how to return the mine to full production.
The miner recorded a $36m profit in the quarter to March 2014, a 76% increase from the $20,5m realised in the prior period. Zimplats attributed this performance to stronger platinum group metals prices.
The miner has been in protracted negotiations with the Zimbabwean government since last year to dispose of its 51% shareholding under the country’s indigenisation laws.
Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa earlier this year said a rethink of the indigenisation laws would not be extended to foreign-owned mining houses.
