Coal producers association formed

Business Reporter
The country’s three coal miners have formed the Coal Producers and Processors Association of Zimbabwe to co-ordinate and ensure stability in the sector. The executive chairman of Coal Brick Mine, Dr Cephas Msipa, said the association was formed at the instigation of the Ministry of Energy and Power Development and that of Mines and Mining Development.
He said the two ministries set up an inter-ministerial committee which also comprised the country’s three active coal miners, Hwange Colliery Company Limited, Makomo Resources and Coal Brick, and the Zimbabwe Power Company, the country’s single largest coal consumer.

Until about three years ago, HCCL had a monopoly in coal mining and there was no need for such an association.
However, when the company started experiencing challenges such as failing to provide adequate coal, the government awarded special grants to new coal miners, opening the sector to more players.

Dr Msipa said because of the work of the association, the three coal mines were able to co-ordinate and make sure there was stable coal supply to Hwange Power Station.

He said the association has been operational since April.
He said the association was now extending its membership to include coal users and transporters.

“We are saying the association must expand to include users and transporters such as the NRZ so that it is more effective in terms of planning,” he said.

The association is chaired by HCCL acting managing director Mr Stanford Moyo.