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Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
HWANGE-based coke pro (ZZCC) says its operating capacity has dropped to 60 percent owing to limited supply of raw materials.
The company operates in Diki area, St Mary’s and exports its products to DRC, Zambia and South Africa.
Assistant plant manager, Andreas Hlabangana, said the business was being hampered by inconsistent raw materials supply from surrounding mines.
Coke is a high-value product produced from coal and is important industrial product, used mainly in iron ore smelting and also as a fuel in stoves.
Demand and price of coke has been steadily rising since China announced a ban in funding thermal power projects, mining experts say.
“Under normal circumstances we should be producing between 8 000 and 10 000 tonnes of coke per month but due to inconsistent supply of raw materials from surrounding mines, we are producing about 4 000 to 6 000 tonnes per month,” he said.
“In this regard, I can say we are operating at 60 percent of our capacity.”
Mr Hlabangana revealed this during the handover of food hampers comprising mealie-meal and cooking oil, which the Chinese-owned company donated to 161 vulnerable villagers drawn from 11 villages in Diki last Friday.
The donation was part of ZZCC’s corporate social responsibility and will go a long way towards enhancing good relations between the company and surrounding communities who had complained over exploitation of their resources by companies that do not give back to the community.
ZZCC has also tarred a 4,5km road connecting the coking plant to the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway, which had over the years caused friction between the mine and villagers who complained about dust.
The company has also donated 800 litres of diesel to the District Development Fund (DDF) to drill a solar powered borehole in the village and 30 000 bricks to Hwange Rural District Council for building of a clinic in Nekabandama.
ZZCC has also donated and installed air conditioning at Lukosi Hospital. – @ncubeleonl.
Online Reporter