Nigerian billionaire Benedict Peters to meet Zimbabwean state officials over platinum project delays

Nigerian billionaire and renowned philanthropist Benedict Peters is scheduled to meet with officials from the Zimbabwean government to address delays in a platinum project in the southern African country.

The meeting, set to take place later this week, aims to address concerns and find a way forward for the project. This signifies a crucial step in addressing the delays surrounding the platinum project.

Polite Kambamura, Zimbabwe’s deputy mines’ minister, revealed this development during an interview in Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital. Kambamura expressed worry about the project delays and confirmed the upcoming meeting between state officials and Benedict Peters, along with executives from Bravura Holdings, the mining company associated with Peters.

This meeting comes in the wake of a recent report indicating Peters’ interest in entering Zimbabwe’s lithium mining sector. Zimbabwe possesses the world’s second-largest platinum reserves, which are often found in conjunction with base metals like nickel and copper.

Peters gained widespread attention in 2019 when he ventured into platinum mining in Zimbabwe through his mining firm, Bravura Holdings. He secured a 3,000-hectare (7,400-acre) concession in Selous, located approximately 50 miles south of Harare.

Recognized as one of Nigeria’s wealthiest individuals, he has demonstrated a keen interest in the mining sector across Africa, his company Bravura Holdings currently holds mining concessions for cobalt in the Democratic Republic of Congo, copper in Zambia, and gold in Ghana.

In addition to his mining ventures, Peters is the owner of Aiteo Eastern E & P Company Limited (AEEPC), a prominent indigenous oil exploration firm in Nigeria. AEEPC plays a significant role in Nigeria’s petroleum industry, boasting an annual production capacity exceeding 90,000 barrels.

Peters’ visionary leadership has contributed to the growth and development of Africa’s petroleum sector, and his achievements have been widely recognized.