Mining company Zimplats (ASX:ZIM) reported mined volumes of 2 million tonnes in the third quarter. a 3% increase from 1.97 million tonnes year-on-year and 1.97 million tonnes quarter-on-quarter, due to a ramp-up in production at Mupani mine in Zimbabwe, according to a Wednesday filing with the Australian Securities Exchange.

The 6E head grade for the quarter was 3.38 grams per tonne grade of gold, a 2% rise year-on-year from 3.33g/t gold and a 3% increase from 3.28 quarter-on-quarter due to increased tonnage from higher-grade stoping areas at Mupani, the filing said.

Ores milled rose 1% to 1.98 million tonnes from 1.96 million year-on-year due to a mill-reline shutdown in the previous comparable period, the filing added.

The total operating cash costs increased by 6% to $135 million from $127.3 million quarter on quarter, influenced by higher mining production, the strengthening of the South African rand, and timing differences in major engineering component replacements, according to the filing.

Shares rose 5% in afternoon trade.