Empowerment group Needgate Investment has reasserted its claim to a stake in Zimplats Holdings.

According to a statement by the group's spokesman, official communications reveal that Needgate holds a 15 per cent empowerment stake in the company, and show that the indigenous group is a partner in Zimplats.

Paul Chimbodza, Needgate's spokesperson, insisted that the group is now simply waiting for an official announcement regarding the decision, and claimed that the group is "surprised" that some are claiming another company has been chosen to partner Zimplats.

Mr Chimbodza added: "The ministry has not withdrawn the letter of support they gave us in 2003."

He is confident of Needgate's position after Nkululeko Rusununguko Mining Company of Zimbabwe (NRMCZ), which had been handpicked by the government to be the preferred candidate for the stake, failed to raise the required US$31 million to support the bid.

The platinum industry is of major importance to the Black Economic Empowerment scheme in Zimbabwe, as president Robert Mugabe believes platinum is key to reviving the country's economy.