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The project will cost US$20 million. Ferrochrome is value added chrome and is used in the manufacturing of stainless steel.
Afrochine chairman Philip Man said the smelters, which are in transit from China, were expected in the country at the end of April. The installation is expected to be complete by July.
“Our smelting plant will be the largest in the country and perhaps the largest or second largest in Sadc,” Man said.
Afrochine Smelting Private Limited is a subsidiary of Tsingshan Group, the second largest stainless steel producing company in China with the capacity of producing 2,2 million tonnes per annum. Tsingshan Group will consume the ferrochrome from the Zimbabwean concern.
Man said the company will get its chrome ore supplies mainly from small scale producers in the country.
“We will be buying from small scale chrome producers and we will also support them to improve production and quality.”
Afrochine smelting director Benson Xu Kemin said the company has also entered into an agreement with the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company for the provision of a dedicated power line.
Kemin said the company expected to consume 100 000 metric tonnes of chrome ore and 24 000 metric tonnes of coke per year.
“We are already purchasing chrome ore in preparation to start production in June,” he said. — New Ziana.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter