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Conrad Mupesa–Mashonaland West Bureau
Explosives manufacturer Jiangshan Civil Explosives has produced 500 tonnes of mining explosives since opening in May at its Chinhoyi plant.
Speaking after a recent tour of the plant, company spokesperson Mr Vengai Mhlanga said the company started by operating at 20 percent capacity and has been meeting demand from its customers in the mining sector.
Only those who can provide the necessary documentation as prescribed by Zimbabwean law are allowed to buy the explosives as they are controlled product.
“Our total production to date is just over 500 tonnes and we are currently producing,” said Mr Mhlanga.
Jiangshan Civil Explosives produces 250 of the standard 29mm explosive sticks per minute.
Mr Mhlanga said they have had very few glitches since they started, generally just border delays given that major raw materials are imported from South Africa.
“We are getting our main raw material, ammonium nitrate solution from South Africa. Owing to transport and border clearance challenges, it may take time to reach us thereby affecting set targets,” said Mr Mhlanga.
The company gets coal for steaming from Hwange.
Unavailability of raw materials in Zimbabwe, including sodium nitrate, presented business opportunities for local industry. At the moment, the local industry produces ammonium nitrate in granular form while the explosives maker prefers it in liquid form.
The factor, which strengthens existing Sino-Zim bilateral relations, has seen the local community benefiting.
Presently, 48 employees have been recruited, with locals being the majority, said co-plant manager, Mr Kudzanai Allan and already local employees are manning key positions in the plant, minimising the need to bring in workers from China.
Online Reporter