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Conrad Mupesa-Mashonaland West Bureau
Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) in partnership with platinum giant, Zimplats, has scored research breakthrough in cement production through the Education 5.0 Model by converting slag from the platinum concentrator plants into building material.
The research and subsequent production aim to supply the construction market with cheaper products while adding value to waste resources.
Unlike the previous learning model that provided education for servitude as inherited at independence in 1980, the impending project embraces the production of goods and services guided by cultural and heritage tendencies.
The university boasts projects that were born at its Agro-Industrial Park and Innovation Hub, as a result of the new education model.
Some of the flagship projects include its cattle breeding programme which has increased the country’s livestock herd.
It has also been able to demonstrate the multifaceted nature of the agro-business industry through semen collection, processing and packaging, artificial insemination, beef and dairy cattle breeding, dairy and pellets for medicinal animal feed, among others.
As CUT moves ahead with innovation and claiming its share in building the nation as espoused by President Mnangagwa through his mantra “Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo”, the institution has partnered with Zimplats Mine, in a research that will see Zimbabwe manufacturing cement from platinum ore residue.
Addressing thousands of people including graduates, their families, Cabinet and Deputy Ministers, and senior Government officials who attended the university’s 20th graduation ceremony, where President Mnangagwa, who is also the Chancellor of all State universities, capped 3 545 graduates last Friday, Vice Chancellor Professor David Simbi said all was in place for the university, in partnership with Zimplats, to start the cement project.
“At the Innovation Hub, developments are underway to establish a cement manufacturing plant from slag waste. The project is being undertaken in collaboration with Zimplats.
“We believe Chinhoyi University of Technology is now well placed to embrace circular-economy philosophy and take the cement production from platinum slag to industrial scale level,” said Prof Simbi.
Zimplats donated equipment to the CUT’s Innovation Hub in 2022. In the same year, the platinum mining conglomerate poured US$90 000 towards the research to identify alternative and sustainable uses of platinum furnace slag to produce cement.
The mine has huge piles of slag accumulated at its Ngezi and Selous operations that pose a threat to the environment and human beings.
Research showed that leeching metals from the slag posed a threat to the water bodies and rivers nearby.
Speaking during the handover of the equipment in 2022, Zimplats’ managing director, Mr Stanley Segula said the stock exchange-listed company was the largest platinum group metals producer in Zimbabwe, operating two concentrators at Ngezi and Selous.
“Hence the slag dumps will continue to grow as operations continue. The slag dumps pose environmental risks as they take up significant land space. In line with our value of working safely and smartly, while caring for the environment and making a positive contribution to society, the collaboration with CUT is a testament to our core values and quest to develop alternative, sustainable use of waste,” he said.
Blast furnace slag cement is produced by mixing granulated slag with Portland cement clinker and optimum gypsum amount according to the expected performance.
Success stories of such products were recorded by Heidelberg Materials Company in Egypt where it is producing blast furnace cement, which generates low heat of hydration.
The furnace slag can also be potentially mixed with lime or cement to make strong construction materials such as building blocks, pavers and road surfaces.
Apart from the cement production, the university is working to produce lithium ion batteries from lithium ore accessed from Bikita Minerals.
The battery casings are being designed using a 3D printing machine at the Innovation Hub. The university also envisages going commercial with the product.
Online Reporter