Zimplats says it is considering opening up a host of new potential exploration sites.

The pgm miner is keen to develop its resource base, with Zimplats chief executive Mike Houston telling Mining Weekly that there was more to come from the Hartley Geological Complex (HGC) in the country's Great Dyke.

"The forecast resource of 330-million ounces of 4E breaks down into 115-million tons of indicated resources and 201-million tons and 14-million tons of inferred and measured resources respectively," he commented.

"Zimplats has an aggressive drilling programme which is focused primarily on the area of the planned expansion, but also on understanding the whole HGC," he added.

However, Mr Houston acknowledged that the drill would require some technical expertise because the mineral deposits are located at such a depth.

Nevertheless, drilling and feasibility studies are on the agenda, with a Zimplats team linking up with an Implats group to evaluate the site.