Mimosa mine


The Mimosa mine is a large underground mine located in the southern part of Zimbabwe in the Midlands Province. Mimosa represents one of the largest platinum reserves in Southern Africa having estimated reserves of 7.9 million oz of platinum. The mine produces around 120,000 oz of platinum/year.

History

1. 1926 - 60oz extracted from oxides.
2. 1966 - 2 vertical shafts sunk – trial mining – 40 000 t processed.
3. 1971 - Operations suspended.
4. 1975 - Blore Shaft established – 90 000 t processed.
5. 1978 - Operations suspended.
6. 1990 - Bulk sample to Mintek for test work.
7. 1990/94 - Reserve estimates and feasibility studies completed.
8. 1995 - Current operations started @ 212tpd.
9. 2003 - Current process – 4050tpd.

Ownership

Mimosa is wholly owned by Mimosa Investments Limited, a Mauritius-based company jointly held by Implats and Aquarius Platinum Limited in a 50:50 joint-venture. It is located on the Wedza Geological Complex on the Zimbabwean Great Dyke east of Bulawayo.

Expansion summary

1. Capital cost US$38.1million
2. Funding – US$30 million Implats equity – Operational flows
3. Mill commission – Nov 2002
4. Full mill throughput – Jan 2003
5. Full mining tonnage – Sept 2003

Mineral processing

1. Design from Mintek test work and past operations
2. 3 stage crushing ƒ 2MF circuit ƒ 4e recoveries – 80.6%
3. Produce final concentrate
4. Road transport concentrate to Implats
5. Long-term concentrate off take agreement