Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve in Hwange
VICE President Dr Constantino Chiwenga has hailed the impressive revival of Hwange Colliery Company Limited (HCCL), describing it as a major boost to the country’s industrial landscape.
Speaking yesterday during a familiarisation tour of major economic projects in Hwange, including Hwange Colliery Mine and the Zhong Jing Heli Energy Power Station, Dr Chiwenga urged the coal miner to channel its renewed momentum towards power generation and the resuscitation of the key railway line.
At HCCL, the Vice President toured the Three North Main underground mine and inspected operations at the refurbished coke oven battery — now seen as the flagship symbol of the company’s resurgence.
“I’m quite thrilled, very relieved to see Hwange Colliery Company now on its feet. I think everyone had almost lost hope in the country about the revival with such terrific speed that we have seen now,” he said.
Dr Chiwenga applauded the HCCL leadership, saying their strategic approach had brought the company back from the brink.
“The team here has done a wonderful job. The briefing they gave us and the tour clearly show that Hwange is now back on its feet,” he said.
Dr Chiwenga highlighted the coking battery refurbishment as an example of cost-effective innovation and bold decision-making.
“This was old technology. They got quotations of up to US$50 million, but they completed it at US$7,5 million. Saving over US$43 million is no joke, and now it is working. This is what we want to see,” he said.
While noting that production levels are still short of the desired scale, Dr Chiwenga expressed confidence that the company is firmly on a growth trajectory. He challenged the management to lay the groundwork for new coking batteries, backed by rising global demand for coking coal.
The Vice President also urged HCCL to anchor its long-term vision on power generation and efficient transportation infrastructure.
He said the colliery must leverage its natural advantage — being the home of coal since 1893 — and aim for large-scale energy production.
“In Beitbridge, they are producing 1 200 megawatts using coking coal. Here is the home of coal. I have told Mr William Gambiza (chief executive officer) and Mr Munashe Shava (administrator) that if others can produce 1 200MW, you must deliver 3 000MW in the shortest possible time,” said Dr Chiwenga.
He stressed that the colliery’s growth must be supported by a reliable railway system, which is key to expanding market access and reducing logistics costs.
Dr Chiwenga also emphasised the importance of corporate social responsibility, particularly fair water distribution between the mine and surrounding communities to prevent conflict. He encouraged continuous research, innovation and reverse engineering to enhance operational efficiency.
Mr Shava said the decision to revive the coke oven battery was driven by the company’s determination to move away from exporting raw coal.
“We realised we cannot continue being a mine known only for selling raw coal.
“We needed to be part of the value chain, so we resuscitated the coke oven battery,” he said.
The battery’s first phase, completed within budget and on schedule, is now producing 20 000 tonnes of coke per month.
Mr Shava said plans are underway to scale up output four to five times to fully exploit the colliery’s vast coal resources.
