Story by Tafara Chikumira, Midlands Bureau Chief
KWEKWE –A new chrome smelting operation in Kwekwe is on the cusp of commencing production, following the successful completion of the first phase of a US$12 million ferrochrome project by Global Union Alloy.
The development marks another significant milestone in the Second Republic’s drive towards industrialisation and mineral value addition.
Located in the mineral-rich Midlands Province, the plant has already seen the installation of two blast furnaces, with three more expected to be added in subsequent phases.
The plant is scheduled to become operational by August this year, further enhancing the province’s role as an industrial hub.
Mr Kudakwashe Chitakure, Manager at Global Union Alloy, expressed satisfaction with the project’s progress.
“We are very excited by the strides we have made in setting up this plant. We have managed to finish these two blast furnaces. What is left are just some connections to power and by next month we will be done. Currently we have 105 employees and these will increase to 515 when the whole project is complete. Each furnace will be producing 35 tonnes of ferrochrome a day during peak periods,” he said.
The Government has welcomed the initiative, citing its alignment with National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and the broader goals of Vision 2030.
Honourable Owen Ncube, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Midlands Province, commended the investment.
“We applaud Global Union Alloy for aligning its operations with the aspirations of the Second Republic to beneficiate our abundant mineral resources. This project will contribute significantly to increasing national and provincial GDP, foreign currency generation, job creation, and technology transfer. These are critical pillars of our economic transformation agenda,” he said.
The new smelting facility is poised to play a vital role in the beneficiation of chrome and other precious minerals in the Midlands, positioning the province as a key player in Zimbabwe’s industrialisation journey.
