By Rudo Saungweme

In a move that is set to consolidate Government`s drive on value-addition and beneficiation, AfroChine, a Chinese smelting company based in the country is set to establish a coke oven battery (COB) in Hwange.

Speaking in an interview with the Harare Post today, a technician who works for Hwange Colliery Company revealed that the COB project will be completed in August next year at a cost of US $150 million.

“A Chinese chrome smelting company called AfroChine Smelting (Pvt) Ltd has plans to start the construction of a coke oven battery (COB) in Hwange by October 2019. Afrochine is positive that the project will be through by August 2020 at an estimated cost of US$150 million. The battery is capable of generating 300 000 tonnes of coke per annum,” said the technician.

The technician revealed that Afrochine will purchase the coal that will be transformed to coke from Hwange Colliery indicating that this development will be cost effective to AfroChine since the company will cut the costs of buying coke.

“AfroChine will purchase coal needed to form coke from Hwange Colliery. The company is anticipating to develop its own coal mine from its 80 000 hectare coal concession in Sinamatela, Hwange.

“This development of adding value to coal is a cost effective measure to AfroChine company,” he said.

Beneficiation brings substantial benefits to the country such as employment creation for all enterprises in the mining value chain and growth in minerals export value which translates to increased tax returns.

Through beneficiation, the country would cushion itself from vulnerabilities associated with any decline in world commodity prices that can affect the current major export earners such as platinum, gold, nickel and chrome.