Zimbabwe is determined to ban exports of raw platinum to force mining companies to refine locally, Mines Minister Walter Chidakwa said today. Mining companies were given two years to build a refinery in the country but have not done so. They export raw platinum to South Africa. President Robert Mugabe said the mining companies must not be surprised if the government bans export of raw platinum because they were given time to build a refinery but did not do so. Zimbabwe is currently the third largest producer of platinum after South Africa and Russia. Mining companies said they need to produce at least 500000 ounces that justify the creation of a smelter but Chidakwa said this was a lame excuse. “It is something else that drives them not to go that route, but we are determined. As government we will be announcing measures on what we will do to ensure that a refinery is set up.”
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