Sundaymail Editor
Rudo Mandiro
ZIMBABWE is set to witness a boom in coal production in the next three years, with output expected to reach more than 23 million tonnes by 2023, up from 15 million tonnes last year.
This will result in increased electricity generation, with 2 000 megawatts of power expected to be added to the national grid, while hundreds of new jobs will be created.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Mr Onisimo Moyo, said to date, coal production was set to increase.
“It has been qualified that from a previous average annual production of about three million tonnes per annum, coal capacity will now witness a massive growth from 15 million metric tonnes per annum produced in 2020 to a projected 23 million metric tonnes per annum in 2023.
“Following the improved coal production capacity, the following value addition strategies are being implemented: electricity generation for local use and exports, production of liquid fuels with the target of Zimbabwe being self-sufficient in fuel by 2030, Infrastructure development through upgrade in logistic networks and coal to coke to electricity.”
Mr Moyo said to achieve 2 000 megawatts of power, the country requires a feedstock of about 22 000 tonnes of thermal coal per day, which is achievable.
The boost in coal production will also result in enhanced benefits from coking coal, which is a by-product of coal.
“There is a huge potential for local coke value addition and beneficiation in the ferro-chrome and steel production industry as well as exports to South Africa and the region.
”There is a huge international market opportunity for the Zimbabwe coke as the coke supply from China is now expensive. China was the largest and main supplier of coke to South Africa and the region. The by-products from coke are crucial raw materials for ZimChem (Zimbabwe Chemical Manufacturing Company).”
Statistics for the first quarter of this year show that cumulative coke exports stood at 71 400 tonnes, an increase from 46 462 tonnes that were recorded over the same period last year.
Zimbabwe also has four companies currently operating coke oven batteries.
Coal is one of the mineral resources expected to contribute to Government’s target of achieving a US$12 billion mining economy by 2023
Online Reporter