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Dosman Mangisi Mining Correspondent
DOROWA Minerals has secured about $5 million from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) to ramp up phosphate production, a government report has shown. Phosphate is a major component in the manufacturing of fertiliser. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce noted in its August report, which was presented during a macro-economic framework workshop in Kadoma last week, that the funding will increase capacity utilisation for the country’s sole phosphate mining concern from 30 percent to full capacity.
“Dorowa Minerals secured $ 5 million from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to boost its phosphate production,” reads part of the report. Phosphate minerals are processed to recover element phosphorus. Pure phosphorus is used to make chemicals for industrial use.
One of the uses is the production of phosphate fertilisers for agriculture purposes. Some of it is used to make calcium phosphate nutritional supplements for animals, treatment of water chemicals and metals, manufacturing of detergents and tooth paste, drinks in the food industry, welding rods and also in the production of electric batteries.
Dorowa Minerals presently produces 150,000 tonnes of phosphates rock concentrate per annum. The new funding is expected to result in a 25 percent cost reduction, which will be passed to players down the value chain. Dorowa Minerals, a subsidiary of Chemplex Corporation, once shut down its operations in 2012 citing liquidity challenges at the height of low uptake of the mineral product by its major stakeholders who are fertiliser manufacturing companies.
Phosphate from Dorowa Minerals is used by its other subsidiaries who are Sable Chemicals, ZImphos, and Zimbabwe Fertiliser Company to manufacture ammonia nitrate fertiliser. The increase in phosphate production will help the country meet the demand for fertiliser and make it more affordable.
Online Reporter