By ETimes
HARARE – ZIMBABWE’S platinum industry hit a new quarterly production record in the second quarter of 2026, with output rising 11% year-on-year to 152 000 ounces, data from the World Platinum Investment Council showed.
“This principally reflected a one-time drawdown at Zimplats of 29 koz of semi-finished platinum inventory, which had accumulated as a result of smelter maintenance in Q1 2026.
“Following the restart of its furnace in March, platinum smelter output increased 14% year-on-year. Elsewhere, Unki’s refined output increased, while Mimosa’s production was affected by intermittent power disruptions,” WPIC stated in its latest quarterly report.
For the first half of 2026, the country’s platinum output was down 4% to 242 000 ounces from 251 000 ounces recorded in H1 2025.
“Elsewhere, the supply volatility experienced in Zimbabwe during H1’26, driven by furnace maintenance at Zimplats, is expected to ease in the second half.
“However, annual production is forecast to decline 1% to 508 koz, primarily reflecting lower grades at Unki,” WPIC added.
The southern African country has the world’s second-largest platinum group metals resource, after South Africa, on the Great Dyke. It has three platinum-producing mines: Zimplats, Mimosa and Unki.
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