adminproduction and quality.
This will see the coal miner doubling production to 300 000 tonnes per month from 120 000.
Makomo Resources is owned 60 percent by a group of six indigenous Zimbabweans while foreigners hold the remainder.
It mines at Entuba Coal Fields in Matabeleland North province.
General manager Mr Samson Mabvira said the equipment would be arriving in the country this month.
“The new plant and its compact unit that includes a crusher and a screening plant to separate various coal grades as per customer request will be arriving in the country before the end of this month,” he said.
“The set also consists of a washing plant which will add quality to the product especially to those who want cocking coal.”
Makomo Resources, which was issued a
7 000 hectares special grant last year, can carry out open cast mining for the next 30 years at one million tonnes per annum and 100 years doing underground mining.
Mr Mabvira said the new equipment was coming at a time when demand for coal was increasing.
“Currently we are supplying Hwange power station with between 90 000 and 100 000 tonnes of coal per month,” he said.
He said resuscitation of New Zim Steel (formerly Ziscosteel) also brought hope to the sector.
“Coal demand is set to grow further with the reopening of the steel giant who requires huge quantities of coke,” he said.
Mr Mabvira said after installation of the new plant, coal exports would resume after failing to take off in June as previously projected since a dedicated plant would be in place.
Makomo Resources is one of five companies including Liberation Mining and Victory Miners which the Government licensed to mine coal in the Matabeleland North province
The Government also recently licensed 20 mining companies to prospect for coal in a move expected to pave way for the provision of adequate energy supplies.
Coal output is tipped to increase in the next five years as the new players, together with planned re-capitalisation of the largest coal producer in the country, Hwange Colliery Company Limited, beef up the sector’s capacity. – New Ziana.
Online Reporter