News / National
Zimbabwe defence ministry partners SA mining firm
16 May 2016 at 06:47hrs | Views
Africa Chrome Fields (ACF), a subsidiary of South African mining company Fanshawe Mining Holdings, has entered into a joint venture with the Ministry of Defence for their exothermic chrome smelting project in Kwekwe, an official has said.
Speaking during the tour of 10 chrome smelting plants that the company has set up since demonstrating the new technology to President Mugabe last year, Mines and Mining Development Minister Walter Chidhakwa said the joint venture would ensure that the resources were protected.
Minister Chidhakwa said the company had made significant strides in fulfilling their promise of expanding within 18 months after making a commitment to President Mugabe last year.
"I am happy with the joint venture between ACF and Ministry of Defence. Defence Minister Sydney Sekeramayi is here representing the establishment. I know you are used to protecting the country, but now you will be protecting the resources. We want to have confidence in each other and I hope as we get along we will also find each other and build the confidence," he said.
Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was also accompanied by the two ministers to tour the project monitoring progress, said the company would start operating formally in August this year.
He said the company would set up 11 chrome washing plants by August and would also set up a state-of-the-art exothermic chrome smelting plant that would smelt chrome concentrate to produce ultra-low carbon ferrochrome in 45 seconds and has the capacity to produce 20 000 tonnes of ultra-low carbon ferrochrome a month.
"Last year we came with the President (Mugabe) and you assured him that you would set up 10 washing plants. You have kept your word. We want to assure you that as Government we will not hinder progress and facilitate smooth operations. I am informed that you will launch the project officially in August," he said. ACF uses new technology of smelting chrome concentrate into ultra-low carbon ferrochrome in 45 to 60 seconds.
The process does not require electricity. ACF also has 147 blocks of chrome claims which will feed into the plant which uses a new technology that does not require electricity. The company will generate 3 000 jobs once it starts operating at full capacity.
Ultra-low carbon ferrochrome fetches $2,50 per pound.The mine is located about 50km outside Kwekwe town.
Speaking during the tour of 10 chrome smelting plants that the company has set up since demonstrating the new technology to President Mugabe last year, Mines and Mining Development Minister Walter Chidhakwa said the joint venture would ensure that the resources were protected.
Minister Chidhakwa said the company had made significant strides in fulfilling their promise of expanding within 18 months after making a commitment to President Mugabe last year.
"I am happy with the joint venture between ACF and Ministry of Defence. Defence Minister Sydney Sekeramayi is here representing the establishment. I know you are used to protecting the country, but now you will be protecting the resources. We want to have confidence in each other and I hope as we get along we will also find each other and build the confidence," he said.
Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was also accompanied by the two ministers to tour the project monitoring progress, said the company would start operating formally in August this year.
He said the company would set up 11 chrome washing plants by August and would also set up a state-of-the-art exothermic chrome smelting plant that would smelt chrome concentrate to produce ultra-low carbon ferrochrome in 45 seconds and has the capacity to produce 20 000 tonnes of ultra-low carbon ferrochrome a month.
"Last year we came with the President (Mugabe) and you assured him that you would set up 10 washing plants. You have kept your word. We want to assure you that as Government we will not hinder progress and facilitate smooth operations. I am informed that you will launch the project officially in August," he said. ACF uses new technology of smelting chrome concentrate into ultra-low carbon ferrochrome in 45 to 60 seconds.
The process does not require electricity. ACF also has 147 blocks of chrome claims which will feed into the plant which uses a new technology that does not require electricity. The company will generate 3 000 jobs once it starts operating at full capacity.
Ultra-low carbon ferrochrome fetches $2,50 per pound.The mine is located about 50km outside Kwekwe town.
Source - the herald
