adminBefore the installation of the equipment, the mining firm produced 120 000 tonnes of coal per month.
Makomo Resources general manager Mr Samson Mabvira said the installation of a third screening and crushing plant would further increase production to 300 000 tonnes per month by the end of the year.
“We are currently producing 200 000 tonnes of coal per month. When we install the third crusher, our production level is expected to improve to 300 000 tonnes per month by the end of this year,” he said.
The equipment presently installed at the company’s Entuba coalfields in Matabeleland North comprise machinery for screening and crushing and for separating coal granules based on density.
Makomo Resources is at present supplying coal to the local market only.
It is hoped that once production reaches 300 000 tonnes per month, the company will penetrate regional and international markets.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and South Africa are some of the countries in the region Makomo Resources is targeting while the international export market would involve China and India.
“We are presently supplying coal to small thermal power stations in Bulawayo and Harare as well as to sugarcane farmers in Chiredzi,” said Mr Mabvira.
He said the local market had been impressed with the quality of coal from Makomo Resources.
“The local market is very happy with the quality of our coal,” he said.
Makomo Resources is one of the five firms, including Liberation Mining and Victory Miners, which the Government licensed to extract coal in the Matabeleland North province.
Its concession covers 7 000 hectares which enables the mining concern to carry out open cast mining for the next 30 years at one million tonnes per annum and another 100 years of underground mining.
The mining entity is jointly owned by a group of six Zimbabweans who have a 60 percent stake while 40 percent is owned by foreigners.
Londile Moyo
Online Reporter