Platinum was Zimbabwe's second highest earning mineral during the start of 2006, according to a report.

According to the country's Herald newspaper which quoted official figures, platinum pulled in Zimbabwean $6.1 trillion for the country.

That placed it second only to gold, which earned the highest amount of Zimbabwean $8.9 trillion.

Total mineral sales amounted to over Zimbabwean $33 trillion from January to May 2006.

Other pgms also made significant contributions to the nation's total mineral earnings. Rhodium earned Zimbabwean $1.7 trillion and palladium followed close behind, with Zimbabwean $1.4 trillion.

The Chamber of Mines statistics also revealed platinum production levels for the start of 2006.

Production of the precious metal started the year at 370kg, before rising to above 400kg in March and April before declining to 390kg last month.

Mining is one of the sectors that continue to prop up Zimbabwe's economy, accounting for about four per cent of GDP and 16 per cent of total foreign exchange earnings.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd