Zimbabwe Platinum Mines (Zimplats) has confirmed it is awaiting the formal approach of a local empowerment consortium in relation to the transfer of a 15 per cent stake in the firm to black investors.

The Zimbabwean government has asked the local consortium Nkukuleko Rusununguko Mining Company to take control of the shareholding in the Australian-listed Zimplats, which has already earmarked 15 per cent of its equity for local partners.

"Once formally approached by Nkululeko Rusununguko Mining, we will commence negotiations," a Zimplats spokesman told Reuters.

Reports in the state-owned newspaper The Herald suggested that the Minister of State for Indigenisation and Empowerment, Josiah Tungamirai, was expecting further localisation of shareholdings in Zimplats and other mines.

Draft laws mooted back in March, but which were later withdrawn, proposed to force mining companies to sell up 49 per cent of their interests to local partners within three years.

The South African miner Impala Platinum Holdings is the largest shareholder in Zimplats, boasting an 82 per cent stake.