Online Reporter
Fairness Moyana in Hwange
HWANGE Colliery Company Holdings (HCCL) is showing signs of recovery and revival. The company, which has been under judicial administration since 2018, is reporting an increase in industrial activity and a renewed focus on social investment in the communities surrounding its operations.
Speaking during a recent media tour led by the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere, HCCL administrator Mr Munashe Shava said the company had adopted a comprehensive Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework to anchor its turnaround strategy.
“Our focus on the social component has been twofold — internal, for our employees and contractors and external, for the communities in and around Hwange. The key question we ask before implementing projects is whether they are relevant to the community, and we now have social performance officers conducting needs assessments to guide our interventions,” he said.
Under this approach, HCCL has rolled out a range of initiatives, including livestock and poultry rearing schemes and support for small and medium enterprises. The company has also revived sporting activities across disciplines such as football, athletics, cricket and netball, with facilities being rehabilitated for both employees and surrounding communities.
The colliery has sponsored provincial school competitions, supported women’s empowerment initiatives, and recently completed the refurbishment of a swimming pool in Hwange, with plans to construct additional pools for local schools.
On employee welfare, HCCL has procured two new ambulances, expanded its bus fleet to ensure safe transport, and recorded more than 2,7 million fatality-free shifts — a milestone Mr Shava described as evidence of the company’s safety-first culture.
Beyond the social front, HCCL is pressing ahead with critical operational projects as part of its recovery.
The company has invested over US$8 million in reviving its long-dormant coke oven battery, which is now more than 90 percent complete and expected to produce over 18 000 tonnes of coke per month once commissioned. By-products such as tar, gas, and bitumen will provide additional revenue streams.
The company has also injected US$3,5 million into new mining equipment to boost both underground and open-cast operations, while refurbishing its coal washing plant to improve efficiency.
“These initiatives show that our recovery is not just about the balance sheet. It is about ensuring our communities benefit and that our operations are sustainable in the long term,” Mr Shava said.
The Government placed Hwange Colliery under administration to stabilise one of the country’s oldest coal mining companies following years of debt and production challenges.
With its coke ovens nearing completion, new investments in equipment, and an expanding social footprint, the company is once again positioning itself as a vital player in Matabeleland North’s economy and Zimbabwe’s energy value chain.
