Chronicle Editor
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
STAKEHOLDERS and community leaders in Beitbridge have applauded the US$3,6 billion Energy Metallurgical Special Economic Zone and Industrial Park that has been set up in the district.
This follows the successful ground-breaking ceremony done by President Mnangagwa on Monday morning that was also attended by his two deputies’ Dr Constantino Chiwenga and Cde Kembo Mohadi.
Located 20km west of Beitbridge town, the project seeks to boost the production of stainless steel and has an integrated mining and energy hub.
The first phase of the project, which has been completed was carried out through a joint venture between the Government, Xintai Resources, and Tuli Coal. So far, over 400 people from around Beitbridge have been hired at the industrial park.
Already a 100MW thermal power generation plant which should produce 50MW by the end of March, is being commissioned,.
The coal wash plant, with a 160,000 tons per year capacity, has been completed, as well as the chrome smelting plant.
The park comprises a coking plant that will have an annual capacity of one million tonnes, a ferrochrome smelting plant producing 100,000 tonnes of high-carbon ferrochrome, and a 1 200MW coal-fired thermal power plant.
Surplus electricity will be transmitted to the national grid, while the ferrochrome plant will facilitate the production of special and stainless steel and castings.
“We laud the President (Mnangagwa) for laying a good foundation for us to have such a huge investment in our area,” said Lumbedzani Ribombo, a member of the residents’ association.
“This huge investment comes shortly after the completion of the magnificent US$300 million Beitbridge border transformation project that came with a number of out-of-port projects, which have changed the face of our town.
“We see this new venture as a new facility that will create more jobs for the Beitbridge community and also have positive effects on related downstream industries.”
Ribombo appealed to authorities at the implementing company to give first preference employment to residents saying the hiring process should not leave out community leaders among them traditional leaders.
Chairperson of the Beitbridge informal traders association, which has over 500 members, Mr Mafios Macheka said the new Palm River project is a huge achievement as it provides much-needed employment opportunities for the community of Beitbridge.
Mr Macheka said the multi-billion-dollar initiative has brought about economic hope to the community.
“It also important that some business opportunities are going to create retail stores among other things. In addition, this project comes with electricity generation, which will benefit the Beitbridge community,” he said.
“We are also hopeful that infrastructure like roads to the plant will improve, and the community will use the improved roads.”
Beitbridge West legislator, Cde Thusani Ndou also commended the Government for ensuring that the project takes off. He said the move was important in driving the rural transformation and industrialisation thrust.
In addition, he said local communities will benefit in terms of employment, better roads, health facilities, and school infrastructure over the full implementation phase of 12 years by the mining company.
Beitbridge East legislator, Cde Albert Nguluvhe said the project is going to bring a lot of business for the country and the district in particular.
“This will be the first industry, which when in full throttle will employ 10 000 people and preferably locals. It will have high effects on the business in Beitbridge,” he said.
“People will have income, which will boost all the businesses in our town. Hopefully, the price of steel products will come down and those from Midlands involved in chrome mining now have a ready market of their products to boost the value addition concept.”
Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Dr Evelyn Ndlovu said the industrial park would play a crucial role in the attainment of the envisaged Vision 2030.
In line with the devolution of power, the project will provide more jobs over 12 years, thereby reducing unemployment and boosting the local economy through generating revenue for the much-needed public service in terms of taxes.
Chairman of the Xinganglian Metallurgy company, Mr Zhou Xudong, the implementing partner in the project, said they would introduce a scholarship fund worth US$500 000 in the next 10 years to fund the education of exceptional students from Beitbridge to study in China.
They also pledged to build a clinic and help improve the learning facilities at the Makakavhule Primary School, which is located within the industrial park’s catchment area.
Online Reporter