Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba
A US$12-million ferrochrome plant in Kwekwe is expected to commence production soon, following the successful completion of the first phase of its development by Global Union Alloy.
The development aligns with the Second Republic’s industrialisation and mineral value addition agenda and is projected to employ over 500 people, producing 35 000 tonnes of ferrochrome per month, once fully operational.
Located in the mineral-rich Midlands Province, the plant has already installed two blast furnaces, with a further three scheduled for installation in subsequent phases.
Production is set to begin in August, reinforcing the province’s status as a key mining and industrial hub.
The Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, toured the facility on Tuesday to assess the progress made at the new smelting plant.
The facility is expected to play a vital role in the beneficiation of chrome and other valuable minerals in the province, thereby advancing the country’s industrialisation agenda.
Minister Ncube stated that the Global Union Alloy chrome processing plant would harness the province’s comparative advantage in heritage-based resources in Kwekwe.
“The plant underscores the Second Republic’s impactful, private-sector-led economic transformation under the able and people-centric leadership of President Mnangagwa. It also reaffirms Midlands Province in general, and Kwekwe City in particular, as attractive investment destinations,” he said.
Minister Ncube noted that the project adds to a growing list of chrome smelting operations in the Midlands Province, which includes Zim Alloys — recently back in operation — as well as Jinan, Trove Smelting Company, China-Zim, Jin Yi, Nelson Holdings, Wel-Mining, and Zimasco.
He highlighted that the province boasts vast chrome ore deposits in Gweru, Shurugwi, Lalapanzi, Zvishavane and Mberengwa, contributing 85percent to national chrome production.
“In this regard, we applaud Global Union Alloy for aligning its investment activities with the aspirations of the Second Republic to value-add and beneficiate the abundant mineral resources in the Midlands Province,” he said.
He said that the company’s operations support the Second Republic’s goal to grow both national and provincial GDP, and to accelerate economic development through increased production, foreign currency generation, value addition, job creation and technology transfer — efforts he described as highly commendable.
“The Global Union Alloy chrome processing plant is currently at 40 percent physical completion. I’m reliably informed that Phase 1 of the project, which comprises two furnaces, is expected to be completed by the end of July 2025. At present, 106 locals are employed during the construction phase,” he said.
Minister Ncube emphasised that the company’s swift progress reflects the New Dispensation’s principles of efficient and timely service delivery.
“Furthermore, this illustrates the company’s commitment to supporting the New Dispensation’s development trajectory as we strive to achieve a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income society by 2030, as envisioned by our visionary leader, President Mnangagwa,” he said.
In an interview at the site, Global Union Alloy manager, Mr Kudakwashe Chitakure, expressed satisfaction with the project’s progress.
“We’re very excited about the progress we’ve made so far. We’ve completed the construction of the two blast furnaces. What remains now are just a few power connections and by next month, everything will be done,” he said.
Mr Chitakure noted that the company employs over 100 workers, with plans to expand the workforce as production begins.
“Right now, we have 105 employees, and this number will increase to 515 once the entire project is complete,” he said.
