adminThupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
A NEW coal mine is set to open in Beitbridge district in the next few weeks creating 250 jobs. The company’s director Tinashe Kamuriwo said 70 percent of the employees would be locals from the district.
Beitbridge Colliery Company is situated near Chituripasi area about 100 kilometres east of the border town. It is also believed that the mining concern’s operations will also add impetus to Zimbabwe’s coal production figures.
“Our projected tonnage monthly is 50 000 tonnes on the first sales according to the size of the box cut opened. There after we will increase by 10 000 tonnes strictly for exports and local markets,” said Mr Kamuriwo.
“We have covered a lot of ground in terms of logistics and we expect full scale operations to commence in the next four weeks.
“Excavations began in February and we have done 16 metres. We expect to start getting the coal when we get close to 22 metres underground.”
He said the company would be carrying out open cast and underground mining operations. According to geological surveys, the coal mine has a life span of over 60 years.
“In essence, we are looking at turning around the lives of many people in Beitbridge and contribute to the district’s economic development,” he said. The coal mining firm is a wholly indigenous entity owned by brothers Tinashe and Rodwell Kamuriwo and their South African counterpart, Mr Thabiso Mfokeng.
Mr Kamuriwo said the coal products will be sold locally and to international markets to generate the much needed foreign currency. He said a border post to be opened near the mine would facilitate their coal exports to South Africa and other markets.
“As you are aware our Government already had plans to open a border around the Chituripasi area and this project will also contribute to that dream. So far we have completed working on a road leading to the proposed border post site,” he said.
He added: “Delays in opening up for full scale operation are mainly related to the current economic climate, but we have come up with a strong sustainable plan.” Mr Kamuriwo said they have lined up a number of community development initiative as part of their social responsibility programme.
His organisation, Mr Kamuriwo said, has applied to Beitbridge Rural District Council seeking land to carryout fishing and horticulture projects among others for people around the mine.
“The venture will also help boost business around Beitbridge and its surrounding environs,” he said. The new mine comes few years after the closure of Tuli Coal Mine, which ceased operations due to viability concerns.
Zimbabwe has vast unexploited coalfields in Hwange and Binga areas along the fossil beds of the Zambezi River. Several other coalfields are found in the South-Eastern Lowveld parts of Zimbabwe including Chiredzi.
Online Reporter