Online Reporter
The commissioning of a US$1,5 million lithium transhipment rail siding in West Nicholson, Matabeleland South province on Monday, was a commendable positive response to calls from industry and the mining sector for a safer, more efficient and sustainable means of transporting bulk cargo.
The massive growth of the mining and agriculture sectors has put pressure on the country’s transport infrastructure hence the loud calls for the acceleration of the refurbishment and rehabilitation of the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ)’s rail network. The country can no longer continue to rely on road transport to move bulk cargo as this is not only expensive but also damages the country’s roads.
The expanding industry and the mining sector now require a robust and efficient railway transport system to move raw materials and finished products. The West Nicholson rail siding which was developed by the Beitbridge
Bulawayo Railway (BBR) in partnership with Silvergill and the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), has come at the most opportune time when the rapid growth of both the mining and agricultural sectors being witnessed, demands strengthened transport logistics.
Speaking during the commissioning of the siding, BBR general manager Mr Khumbulani Mabvura said the completion of the rail siding project was a major breakthrough in strengthening the mining sector’s transport logistics.
”We are witnessing a renewed commitment to rail based transport that will provide mining companies with a safer, more efficient and sustainable means of transporting bulk cargo,” he said.
Mr Mabvura said moving bulk cargo by rail will help reduce pressure on the country’s road network. He therefore urged Government to consider allocating a defined proportion of bulk mineral cargo to rail transport saying rail transport remains the most suitable option for bulk freight over long distances.
The new siding was designed to handle not only lithium concentrates but also other strategic minerals including chrome, ferrochrome and iron ore. Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Albert Nguluvhe said the rail siding project was a model of successful collaboration between Government and the private sector. He said the facility will strengthen the country’s position as a regional transport and logistics hub.
Minister Nguluvhe said the siding will also improve the movement of lithium from Gwanda mines and surrounding areas as Zimbabwe takes advantage of the growing global demand for critical minerals such as lithium to derive maximum benefits from its resources.
We want at this juncture to implore the Government to avail more resources to accelerate the NRZ’s refurbishment and rehabilitation programme so that the railway company regains its past status of being the transporter of choice for both industry and the mining sector.
Companies and mines are paying prohibitive transport costs for raw materials and finished products because they are using road transport instead of railway. Rail is the cheapest and most efficient mode of transport hence the urgent need to revive NRZ to enable it to move the bulk of industry’s raw materials and finished products within the country or across the borders.
