HWANGE Colliery Company Limited (HCCL) has invested over US$3,5 million in new equipment as part of its turnaround strategy.
This emerged during a media tour of the coal giant led by Information minister Jenfan Muswere.
HCCL administrator Munashe Mashava said the company was forging ahead with the modernisation and recapitalisation drive to boost energy security.
“We have availed US$3,5 million towards the acquisition of new equipment at HCCL. The coke oven battery recovery project is 95% complete and we are entering the preheating stage starting Monday the 15th (of August),” he said.
“This process will gradually heat the battery to 1 200 degrees Celsius over 60 to 90 days. The aim is to fully operationalise the battery and begin value-adding processes like tar and bitumen extraction, gas recovery, and production of carbon black, a high-value product.”
Muswere said the transformation aligned with Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy (NDS 1), which prioritised industrialisation and economic modernisation.
The Information minister praised the progress at HCCL as a beacon of success made possible through strategic public-private partnerships.
“From producing just 500 000 metric tonnes of coal per year before 2017, Hwange Colliery is now delivering over seven million metric tonnes annually,” he said.
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“Of this, 50% powers thermal energy generation, 26% supports foundry and metallurgical industries and 25% fuels other industrial and agricultural sectors.”
Muswere said the company’s value chain had expanded to include underground and open-cast mining, processing coke for steel production and refurbishing gas infrastructure to supply Zimbabwe Power Company.
The ripple effects are vast, generating thousands of jobs upstream and downstream.
“HCCL’s role in producing metallurgical coke is key to Zimbabwe’s steel production ambitions,” he said.
“The entire ecosystem now being built around the colliery is a catalyst for national development.”
In addition to its industrial focus, HCCL is also investing in surrounding communities.
The company recently procured four dialysis machines and upgraded several healthcare facilities to improve access to medical services in
