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Business Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S leading chrome miner, African Chrome Fields (ACF), has announced ambitious expansion plans as it seeks to
gain up to 25 percent of the global market share for high-grade chrome concentrate by the end of 2026.
Presently, the chrome miner operates six spiral wash plants across the Midlands Province in Ngezi, Lalapanzi, and Chinyikwa.
“Our goal is to position ACF as a major player in the global chrome industry, while setting Zimbabwe apart as the home of high-
quality chrome concentrate, and helping to build its reputation for its resource capabilities,” ACF chairman and country
representative Mr Zunaid Moti said in a statement.
The firm’s above-wash plants employ a blend of gravity and water – an environmentally responsible approach with no
chemicals involved, thereby supporting land rehabilitation efforts.
The wash plants produce an average of 30 000 tonnes of high-grade chromium concentrate per month.
The high-grade chromium concentrate is used in the production of ferroalloy for high-grade stainless steels.
Furthermore, its operations are expected to contribute over US$40 million in revenue to Zimbabwe’s fiscus this year.
Going foward, ACF has significant investments planned for growing its production capacity that will see it increase its monthly
chrome output to between 50 000 and 60 000 tonnes, and target annual production of 800 000 tonnes by the end of 2030.
To accomplish this, the company intends to raise the number of wash plants to eight over the next 18 months, while relocating
three wash plants to Lalapanzi and one to Ngezi.
By the end of next year, ACF estimates that this will increase the annual foreign exchange revenue generated for the
Zimbabwean fiscus to US$100 million, gradually rising to over US$150 million by 2030.
Similarly, ACF’s job creation and infrastructure development efforts are expected to provide a growing number of income-
earning opportunities, directly and indirectly impacting over 8 500 community members.
“Our plans demonstrate our confidence in the strength and global competitiveness of our products, as well as our belief in
Zimbabwe’s future.
“We’re proud to carry the Zimbabwean badge on the world stage, and to partner in its development by building infrastructure
that supports sustainable growth and creates jobs,” said Mr Moti.
In addition, ACF is also driving innovation in the beneficiation processes at its plants to produce a low-silica chrome product
variant, utilising specialised hydrosizers to remove excess silica to achieve chrome content of over 50 percent and silica levels
below 0,5 percent.
The above niche product has the potential to serve as a chemical-grade material to compete with foundry sand and offers
greater longevity for use within the refractory linings of smelters for manufacturing high-grade, ultra-low carbon ferrochrome.
Simultaneously, the company’s aluminothermic facility is gradually ramping up production of its own ultra-low carbon, high-
grade ferrochrome for top-tier clients in the aeronautical engineering sector – a product only produced by one other competitor
in the world.
“Our goal is to elevate Zimbabwe’s mining capabilities to compete on a global scale, and to earn recognition for the technology
and innovation we are bringing to the industry.
“ACF has already made a name for itself through the quality of our products, and by investing in our operations and new
innovations, we hope to place ourselves at the cutting-edge of mining,” he said.
Online Reporter