A six-week furnace breakdown at the Sealous Metallurgical Complex smelter, owned by the Makwiro Platinum Mine, caused a significant reduction in revenue over the last quarter.

A total of 42 production days were lost at the smelter from July to September while the furnace was not operational, representing almost half of the mine's 90 production day average per quarter.

Only 15.255 tonnes of concentrate were delivered to the furnace, down on the previous quarter's total of 24.168 tonnes. The unprocessed material will, says the management, be high-graded and stockpiled.

A statement from the parent company, Zimbabwe Platinum Mines Ltd, explained that decision:

'The reduced revenue from the sale of the concentrate, the higher volumes to transport and the capacity constraints in the South African smelters were the main considerations for the decision to stockpile concentrate until the furnace resumed operation', said the statement.