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Patrick Chitumba in Victoria Falls
LISTED coal miner Hwange Colliery Company is planning to buy new machinery for its underground operations after delivery of open cast mining equipment worth about $12million from China, public relations manager Mr Burzil Dube said. In an interview, Mr Dube said the colliery had received 5 by 95-tonne dumper trucks, 4 by 55-tonne dumper trucks, 2 excavators and 1 crane as the company seeks to increase coal production. He said the machinery would be commissioned soon.
“The new machinery for the open cast mine has arrived from China. Only one 55-tonne truck is still to arrive and we are expecting it anytime this week or early next week. We are also still to use the new machinery because we are negotiating with Zimra for import duty payment,” said Mr Dube.
He said focus was now on buying machinery for underground operations.
“We are now working on purchasing machinery for the underground mine,” he said.
Mr Dube said the mine had also purchased a $500 000 state-of-the-art fire tender which he said would be used in Matabeleland North province.
“The fire tender is not only for the Colliery Company but for the whole province. It will also be used by the Civil Protection Unit in cases of emergency in the province,” he said.
It is estimated that HCC requires more than $100 million in fresh capital to recapitalise its operations.
The company has the capacity to produce five million tonnes of coal per year, but due to viability problems production has been low.
The bulk of the coal produced at HCC is sold to Hwange Power Station where it is used to generate electricity, with the remainder sold to other local businesses.
The company also exports coal to other countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Botswana, Mozambique and Zambia.
Online Reporter