Zimbabwe has the second largest known deposits of platinum in the world. Currently there are two mines operating namely, ZIMPLATS and MIMOSA. A third mine, UNKI Platinum is expected to commission before the end of 2010.

The development of Platinum Group Metal (PGMs) mines dates back to 1969 when Union Carbide successfully undertook trial mining at Wedza, culminating into refined metals being sold. Prices then were not high enough to allow for sustained viability to be achieved. A number of exploration programmes and resource evaluation projects were undertaken since then and nothing of substance materialised until 1994 when Mimosa Mine started producing on a small scale. This was followed by the much-publicised BHP\Delta Gold joint venture for the development of the Hartley Platinum mine.

Despite the demise of the Hartley Platinum mine in 1999, the thinking in the minerals industry is that the PGM resource on the Great Dyke can be exploited viably with handsome returns, and investment plans continue to appear on corporate agendas.

Zimbabwe considers the PGM resource to be an important aspect of the country's mineral development in the new millennium. Current platinum production is at 188 000 ounces per year. There are currently, two producing mines with a third at an advance stage of mine development. Five other platinum projects are at different stages of resource identification. In addition to gold, the platinum industry has the greatest prospect for immediate development.