The Zimbabwe Platinum Mines (Zimplats) empowerment deal has, according to the Financial Gazette, been opened up to three more potential bidders.

It was previously thought that Needgate Investments was the only indigenous consortium bidding for a 15 per cent share in Zimplats.

However, sources indicate that there are three other interested parties -NIT, ZMDC and an unnamed indigenous consortium.

The government empowerment trust, the National Investment Trust (NIT), had initially failed to raise enough resources to enter the deal, but is now thought to be set to enter the bidding.

The Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) is a quasi-government institution that aims to develop the government's mining operations.

The increased interest in the deal comes after Zimplats was forced to submit a report on their contract with Needgate Investments to the government.

Sources told Mining Weekly that mines minister Amos Midzi is likely to make a final decision soon on the empowerment deal and that it is unlikely that Needgate will be the victors.

Finance raised from the deal will be used to fund the first stage of Zimplat's expansion scheme.