Business / Companies
Minister Chitando hails Hwange Colliery’s role in vision 2030 energy goals
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Hwange Colliery Company is set to significantly ramp up its coal production, aiming to reach 3 million tonnes annually by 2027 - a development that Zimbabwe's Minister of Mines, Winston Chitando, says will complement the country's goal of attaining upper-middle-income status by 2030.
This ambitious target forms part of the company's broader efforts to enhance power generation, thereby boosting energy efficiency and driving economic growth.
Speaking during a ministerial media tour on Thursday, Chitando noted that mining companies operating in Hwange are performing well and contributing meaningfully to national development, thanks to President Emmerson Mnangagwa's investor-friendly mining policies.
"The company is currently producing 600,000 tonnes of coal per annum, with plans to increase output to 2.5 million tonnes next year and 3 million tonnes by 2027," Chitando said.
He added that Hwange Colliery has invested approximately US$60 million to support its expansion plans, including the acquisition of advanced mining equipment known as longwall technology, which is expected to produce around 210,000 tonnes annually from a single mining area.
"The company also plans to construct two power-generating units, each with a capacity of 150 MW, for a combined output of 300 MW. This will significantly contribute to the national grid and help meet Zimbabwe's energy demands," Chitando said.
The minister emphasised the importance of unlocking the mine's underground potential, revealing plans to extend the shaft to a depth of six kilometres to boost coal output.
He also reiterated the government's commitment to value addition and beneficiation, which he said are key pillars in achieving sustainable economic growth and realising Vision 2030.
Meanwhile, Hwange Colliery's mining consultant, Ackim Mutiti, confirmed the company's intention to generate 150 MW of electricity to feed into the national grid.
"This initiative aligns with the country's ongoing efforts to improve energy efficiency through value addition and beneficiation," Mutiti said during a media briefing in Hwange.
"As the Minister mentioned, we've already developed nearly one kilometre from the bottom of the shafts, and we plan to extend this to six kilometres. We're currently producing 600,000 tonnes per annum, but next year we aim to reach 2.5 million tonnes, and by 2027, 3 million tonnes annually," he said.
Mutiti also highlighted the company's US$60 million investment in longwall mining equipment, which will produce approximately 210,000 tonnes annually from a single site.
"Plans are underway to build two generating units, each producing 150 MW, for a combined output of 300 MW," he added.
The anticipated increase in coal production and power generation is expected to contribute significantly to Zimbabwe's GDP, while also creating new employment opportunities and stimulating the local economy.
With these developments, Hwange Colliery Company is poised to play a pivotal role in Zimbabwe's energy sector, driving industrial growth and regional development.
Minister Chitando also toured Zhongjin Heli Energy (PVT) LTD, where he underscored the importance of partnerships in mining, stating that Zimbabwe welcomes investments that sustainably transform the livelihoods of both local communities and the nation at large.
This ambitious target forms part of the company's broader efforts to enhance power generation, thereby boosting energy efficiency and driving economic growth.
Speaking during a ministerial media tour on Thursday, Chitando noted that mining companies operating in Hwange are performing well and contributing meaningfully to national development, thanks to President Emmerson Mnangagwa's investor-friendly mining policies.
"The company is currently producing 600,000 tonnes of coal per annum, with plans to increase output to 2.5 million tonnes next year and 3 million tonnes by 2027," Chitando said.
He added that Hwange Colliery has invested approximately US$60 million to support its expansion plans, including the acquisition of advanced mining equipment known as longwall technology, which is expected to produce around 210,000 tonnes annually from a single mining area.
"The company also plans to construct two power-generating units, each with a capacity of 150 MW, for a combined output of 300 MW. This will significantly contribute to the national grid and help meet Zimbabwe's energy demands," Chitando said.
The minister emphasised the importance of unlocking the mine's underground potential, revealing plans to extend the shaft to a depth of six kilometres to boost coal output.
He also reiterated the government's commitment to value addition and beneficiation, which he said are key pillars in achieving sustainable economic growth and realising Vision 2030.
"This initiative aligns with the country's ongoing efforts to improve energy efficiency through value addition and beneficiation," Mutiti said during a media briefing in Hwange.
"As the Minister mentioned, we've already developed nearly one kilometre from the bottom of the shafts, and we plan to extend this to six kilometres. We're currently producing 600,000 tonnes per annum, but next year we aim to reach 2.5 million tonnes, and by 2027, 3 million tonnes annually," he said.
Mutiti also highlighted the company's US$60 million investment in longwall mining equipment, which will produce approximately 210,000 tonnes annually from a single site.
"Plans are underway to build two generating units, each producing 150 MW, for a combined output of 300 MW," he added.
The anticipated increase in coal production and power generation is expected to contribute significantly to Zimbabwe's GDP, while also creating new employment opportunities and stimulating the local economy.
With these developments, Hwange Colliery Company is poised to play a pivotal role in Zimbabwe's energy sector, driving industrial growth and regional development.
Minister Chitando also toured Zhongjin Heli Energy (PVT) LTD, where he underscored the importance of partnerships in mining, stating that Zimbabwe welcomes investments that sustainably transform the livelihoods of both local communities and the nation at large.
Source - Byo24News
