Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe’s drive to strengthen value addition in the mining sector has received a major boost following a massive US$1.8 billion investment by Zimplats, the largest foreign direct investment (FDI) commitment into the country in decades, the government has said.
In a post on its National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) X handle, the government said the investment has seen Zimplats significantly expand platinum processing capacity at its Selous Metallurgical Complex, where smelting capacity has been tripled to 380 000 tons of concentrate per year.
The expansion, noted the government, marks a critical step in transforming Zimbabwe from a raw mineral exporter into a regional platinum processing hub.
At the centre of the project is a new state-of-the-art furnace that will process not only Zimplats’ own ore but also concentrates from other local platinum producers, strengthening integration within the domestic mining industry and reducing reliance on offshore processing.
The scale of the facility underscores the magnitude of the investment covering an area equivalent to 12 football fields, the complex was constructed using 17 000 cubic metres of concrete and 3 500 tons of steel, with local labour playing a key role in its development.
In a major boost to the local economy, the bulk of construction materials and labour were sourced within Zimbabwe, providing business opportunities for domestic suppliers and contractors while creating jobs during both the construction and operational phases, said the Government.
The expansion is expected to enhance export earnings, promote skills transfer and stimulate downstream industries, reinforcing the mining sector’s contribution to national development. Analysts say the project positions Zimbabwe as a strategic platinum processing centre in the region, aligning with Government efforts to promote beneficiation and maximise value from the country’s vast mineral resources.
New Ziana
