Zimbabwe Platinum project builds tailings reprocessing into first phase

ZIMBABWE – Mutapa Platinum Group has secured US$100 million to develop the Darwendale platinum project, with the first phase incorporating a tailings storage facility and water recirculation system that position the operation for future material recovery.

Patrick Maseva-Shayawabaya, who heads sister company Mutapa Gold, told Bloomberg News during an interview in Harare that the project achieved financial close at the end of last month, with the US$100 million secured. 

He added that civil works have now commenced, speaking after a Monday briefing on the platinum venture. 

The project sits 65 kilometres west of Harare and holds an estimated 44 million ounces of platinum group metals in resources. 

Overall development costs are estimated at around US$500 million.

Tailings Facility Enables Future Metal Recovery

Munashe Shava, chief executive of Mutapa Platinum Group, said funds had started to be disbursed, with teams on site conducting civil works for the processing plant since mid-September. 

The first phase includes a processing plant, open-pit mining operations, bulk infrastructure, a tailings storage facility and a water recirculation system. 

The tailings facility does more than store waste. 

Residual platinum group metals remain in processed material, and storing it in a controlled structure allows the company to reprocess tailings later as separation technologies improve, recovering metal that would otherwise be lost. 

Several platinum operations globally have extended mine life through tailings retreatment, turning an environmental liability into a secondary resource stream.

Water Recirculation Cuts Fresh Draw and Discharge

The water recirculation system recovers process water and returns it to the plant rather than drawing fresh supply or discharging into surrounding catchments. 

Mining operations consume substantial volumes of water, and recirculation reduces both operational costs and pressure on local water sources. 

The design reflects growing scrutiny of mining’s water footprint in southern Africa, where drought cycles and competing agricultural demand heighten concern over industrial consumption.

Critical Minerals Policy Shapes Project Structure

The financing arrives as Zimbabwe implements a new critical minerals framework. 

The government designated platinum group metals among 14 critical minerals in May 2026, banned raw exports and required mandatory State shareholding through special purpose vehicles. 

Zimplats and other major producers have said they are awaiting implementation details, including specific shareholding thresholds and beneficiation classifications. 

Mutapa Platinum has indicated willingness to work with existing industry participants to accelerate the project. 

Darwendale was originally planned as a large underground mine but stalled after financing constraints and the exit of Russian partner Vi Holdings from the Great Dyke Investments joint venture, prompting Kuvimba Mining House to adopt a smaller open-pit approach in 2025.

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