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Bulawayo Bureau
DINSON Colliery Company continues to expand its operations with the construction of more coking plants in Hwange on course as it stamps its authority as one of Africa’s biggest coke producers.
The coal processing concern has set its expansion targets into phases four, five and six following completion of the three other batteries, which were churning out about 36 000 tonnes per month.
Dinson Colliery, a sister company of Dinson Iron and Steel company, which recently completed constructing a US$1,5 billion steel plant in Manhize near Mvuma, said the completion of the phase four project will see coke production being ramped up to 50 000 tonnes per month
In an interview following a recent media tour of the expansion project, the company’s human resources officer, Mr Tanaka Mugoti, said the exercise, which was split into phases would take between two-three years to complete with plans to construct a power station at an advanced stage.
“We are looking into expanding phases four, five and six, and hopefully with approval from the Government we can build a power station as the demand for power is very high, and also the batteries need more energy,” he said.
“So, we do not need ZESA hiccup hence the plan to build a power plant. We are expecting to have phases four and five in the next two or three years and as for the power station, we expect it on board in the next five years.
“We have invested over US$100 million for this project,” said Mr Mugoti.
The coal processing company, which won the 2023 Exporter of the Year award during the recent Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce event has set its sights on expanding its market share beyond the region.
“Our markets are South Africa, Zambia, and DRC, and we are planning on exploring further beyond the region as we seek to meet demand for the product,” he said.
“We also supply the local markets such as Zimasco, Afrochine, and also our sister company, Dinson Iron and Steel, who are running a steel factory.
“Business is doing good for us as we have won the exporter of the year award during the ZNCC event.”
Mr Mugoti said the company was geared to contribute substantially to the US$12 billion target for the mining industry as evidenced by its expansion project that has seen it buying more locally from local mines.
“We are looking forward to this meeting (SADC Industrialization Week) as we anticipate contributing immensely to the US$12 billion target as you know we are the largest coke producer and we are looking at increasing our batteries in terms of production so our contribution is through buying of more coal from the local coal mines,” he said.
“Already, we have our own mine, which is Dinson Mega situated at Hwange Colliery Number 3 where we have begun operating. Once phase four comes on board we are looking at 50 000t of coke per month and with demand this is set to increase as we move into phases five and six.
Dinson Colliery has created employment for about 800 employees with 90 Chinese nationals assisting to ensure efficiency and production of the batteries.
Online Reporter