Sundaymail Editor
Business Reporter
INDUSTRIAL Development Corporation of Zimbabwe (IDCZ) says it is considering a US$3,5 million investment into a second limestone milling plant in Rushinga, Mashonaland Central, which will produce high-value micronised products for local and export markets.
The plant — which is expected to produce micronised products such as feldspar, silica, mica, talc, kaolin and barytes from limestone — will have the capacity to produce about 300 000 tonnes of lime per annum.
The investment will also cover the establishment of a hydrated lime plant.
This comes at a time when the country is importing hydrated lime from regional countries for water treatment, among other uses. In 2021, Zambia accounted for 76 percent (US$618 000) of hydrated lime imports into the country, followed by South Africa, which accounted for 23 percent (US$190 000), while China supplied the remainder.
Earlier last year, IDCZ channelled US$1,4 million towards the refurbishment of the G and W Industrial Minerals mine in Rushinga, which is expected to produce 100 000 tonnes of lime per annum.
One of the products in limestone production — calcium oxide — is used in steel manufacturing, mining, paper production, water treatment and purification, and plastic production. It also has major applications in agriculture and glass manufacture.
Increased lime output is expected to boost production of affordable agricultural lime for soil conditioning by farmers, thereby improving agricultural yields.
Agriculture is critical to driving growth under the five-year National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1). It is largely expected to complement sectors such as tourism, manufacturing and mining. Rural industrialisation is also central to NDS1. The revival of an old plant in Rushinga is envisaged to support and empower rural communities.
IDCZ board chairperson Mr Winston Makamure said they have embarked on a drive to revamp industries that have competitive advantage.
“Current geopolitical factors in Eastern Europe, coupled with the negative impact of Covid-19, were a wake-up call for us to localise our production systems.
“Once we are able to meet local demand, this will undoubtedly translate to sustainable food supply chains and affordability to the final consumer in the country,” said Mr Makamure.
Agriculture economist Mr Doubt Chiorora said the intended investment was critical in reducing the import bill, particularly on products that could be sourced locally.
“It hurts to import something we have in abundance locally, so the investment into limestone production is a welcome development, where the country exploits its natural endowments, curbing the influx of imports,” he said.
“The country should continue investing in value addition of resources we have locally so that we do not continue wasting the much-needed foreign exchange.”
Almost all limestone quarrying production in the country — mainly at Cleveland, Sternblick and Sino-Zim — has been used for cement and steel production.
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