by Zivanai Dhewa
Zimbabwe has viable commercial deposits to meet global cocking coal demands. This was revealed during President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s coal and cocking coal tour projects in Hwange District, the Harare Post can report.
Speaking during the official opening of the South Mining New Cocking Plant, President Mnangagwa said mining and agricultural sectors can turn around the fortunes of this country and propel the country towards self-sufficiency.
“Food security is key; put up a package to support the vision in the next 3 seasons the country will be sufficient. Mining sector can propel us towards energy sufficient. Set a roadmap to achieve enough electricity to support industry. Let us access modern technology to convert gas for our own use; by 2030 we will be self-sufficient in fuel
Western Areas Colliery owner Billy Rautenbech, confirmed that the new coal and cocking project will contribute significantly toward the growth of the economy.
“We have viable commercial deposits, the Western Areas Colliery Fields are a US$100 million project, and so far US$20million has been sunk into the project.
“At completion, the project will create 2000 jobs with a production of 3000 tonnes per month, and is in a position to supply Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) with adequate coal,” Rautenbech said.
Rautenbech concluded by saying that “cocking coal is in demand globally and we have millions of tonnes to meet demand.”
Speaking on the same occasion, Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Winston Chitando said, “Plans to export to India are at an advanced stage, we have abundant coal for that purpose. We are working on efficient transportation.
“In 2018, we had a production capacity of 300 000 tonnes of cocking coal, we are now targeting an average of 2.1 million tonnes by 2023,” Minister Chitando said.
Meanwhile, Jinan, a mining company also involved in the production of thermal and industrial coal downstream products such as explosives, has resolved to make Zimbabwe self-sufficient in explosives, as the company has committed to produce enough explosives for local consumption.
The Minister of State for Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs Richard Moyo, Minister of Environment, Hospitality and Tourism Mangaliso Ndlovu and Minister of Industry and Commerce, Dr Sekai Nzenza were also in attendance at the occasion.
