adminmined locally” imported chrysotile asbestos fibre used by Turnall for the manufacture of AC water pipes
Turnall took the chrysotile asbestos fibre for testing after the Zimbabwe National Water Authority expressed reservations over the imported fibre Turnall used to make pipes for Zinwa’s Mtshabezi pipeline project. Zinwa preferred local chrysotile asbestos fibre.
Turnall could not continue making AC water pipes for Zinwa using local chrysotile asbestos fibre as Shabanie Mashava, which mined the mineral, was closed due to long-running operational problems.
As a result, Zinwa had terminated a US$16 million contract under which Turnall Holdings supplied AC water pipes for the Mtshabezi project. The contract was awarded to Pro-Plastics, which supplies PVC pipes made largely from imported material.
The Ministry of Water Resources and Development and Management advised Turnall to have the fibre tested against the risk threats raised by Zinwa.
Zinwa had said it feared for the safety of people who would consume the water carried from Mtshabezi Dam on pipes made from imported asbestos, which it suspected contained chemicals that could be harmful to people.
The Mtshabezi Dam is designed to alleviate water shortage in the City of Bulawayo.
But tests carried out by SAZ and the Institute of Mining Research all established both imported and local chrysotile asbestos contained silica and magnesium oxide as major components, which distinguish them from others.
“All the asbestos fibres have silica and magnesium oxide as major components,” said Institute of Mining Research chairman Mr Spencer Kahwai.
The Standards Association of Zimbabwe said: “The tests were done to compare the chemical composition of local fibre from AA Mines and that of import fibre from Ukraine, Brazil and Russia.”
Turnall has since written to the Ministry of Water Resources Development and Management informing them on the outcome of the tests.
The ministry, under which Zinwa falls, is yet to respond to the letter.
“Based on this evidence, it can be concluded that both local and imported fibre are the same in chemical content and will not cause health risks,” said Turnall.
Asked to comment on the implications of the outcome of the tests, Zinwa spokesperson Mrs Majorie Munyonga asked for time to clarify the authority’s position.
She had not responded by the time of going to press. The State Procurement Board executive chairman Mr Charles Kuwaza last week said the dispute was on a technical matter Turnall and Zinwa needed to agree on.
“We have referred the issue to experts, so that things will be fair and square between them (Turnall and Zinwa). We will listen to both,” said Mr Kuwaza.
The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange-listed Turnall manufactured the AC water pipes at its Bulawayo factory, which employs about 250 workers.
Turnall also lamented the fact it was not invited to participate in the tender process to supply PVC pipes after Zinwa terminated the contract for AC pipes.
Online Reporter