Hwange studies SA mine technology

with the latest production systems ahead of the colliery’s recapitalisation.
The coal miner will soon undertake a US$175 million recapitalisation programme involving the purchase of new equipment and latest technology to enhance production.
Hwange Colliery – whose shares trade on stock exchanges in Zimbabwe, Johannesburg and London – is negotiating with regional financier, the Development Bank of South Africa, for a long-term loan.
Company spokesperson Mr Burzil Dube said the purpose of the tour of the SA mines was to acquaint themselves with the “superior” technology and to understand the processes and practices which drive their performance.
South Africa is the world’s sixth largest producer of coal.
“Hwange will soon embark on a massive recapitalisation programme,” said Mr Dube in an interview, “and this will involve acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment and investing in the latest technology.”
“In view of this, we would like to benchmark our production systems with those of other mining firms by incorporating these best practices into our own mining operations to enhance efficiency.”
Mr Dube said the mines visited were New Vaal Colliery, an open-cast mine controlled by Anglo America and Zibulo Colliery, an underground mine..
The delegations also visited Joy Mining, a company specialising in the manufacture of underground equipment such as continuous miners.
“These are major players in coal production and the visit was an eye opener. This will certainly go a long way in transforming our operations.”
Mr Dube would not shed light on progress made so far with regards to securing funds for recapitalisation.
“The negotiations are now at a critical stage and it is not proper for us to comment,” he said.
The Hwange Colliery delegation, which comprised board members and top executives, was led by chairman Mr Farai Mutamangira.
The world over, the high-tech mining technology is of great importance in enlarging the competitive forces of the coal mining industry.
The coal mining industry is becoming more mechanised and this has prompted mining corporations to make great efforts to adopt the latest production systems.
Nowadays, there is common usage of computers, lasers, satellites and other technologies in coal mining and many coal mining firms are applying all these advances in their operations.