Gweru mining firm to spend US$75 million on solar plants

JINAN Group, a Gweru-based ferrochrome mining company, plans to invest over US$75 million to establish two 120-megawatt solar power plants to address energy shortages and promote renewable energy.

The Chinese-owned company aims to build the plant in two phases, starting with a 20-megawatt facility at its factory, followed by an additional 30-megawatt plant on land to be acquired from the Gweru City Council

The company’s finance manager, Mr Munyaradzi Matanyaire, revealed this while addressing journalists during a Midlands provincial media tour organised by the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services recently.

“The first solar project will produce a total of 50 megawatts at a total cost of US$25 million. The equipment for the 20-megawatt phase-one solar power plant is currently en-route from China and is expected to be completed by the end of the second quarter of this year,” he said.

According to Mr Matanyaire, the mining company plans to build a 100-megawatt solar power plant at the Chessa substation, 26km outside Gweru, with a total investment of US$50 million.

The goal is to help Zimbabwe reduce its carbon footprint and alleviate frequent power outages

“The projects will harness power for production while increasing local employment opportunities and fostering innovation in the mining industry,” he said.

“We also aim at reducing electricity tariffs, while addressing the energy deficit thereby supporting the country’s economic growth and enhancing environmental sustainability.”

Currently, the chrome firm operates at 80 percent capacity, producing 65 000 tonnes per annum.

“As far as our furnaces are concerned, we want to make improvements on one of them to produce ferrosilicon, which is an input for low-carbon ferrochrome,” he added.

Mr Matanyaire noted that demand for low-carbon ferrochrome is high, with favourable prices, adding that the equipment for the low-carbon ferrochrome furnace has already been manufactured in China, awaiting logistical processes for shipment.

The company, he said, has a workforce of over 500 and expects to add another 60 employees once the solar plant is operational.

The firm has five furnaces but is presently running four, as one is undergoing upgrades.

Management has said that plans are afoot to improve their furnace performance to produce high grade ferrochrome.

“As far as our furnaces are concerned, we want to make improvements on one of the furnaces to produce ferro silicon, which is an input for what is known as low carbon ferrochrome.

“We are currently producing high carbon ferrochrome and the prices for it (high carbon ferrochrome) are depressed on the market but with low carbon ferrochrome the prices are high as well as demand,” said Mr Matanyaire.