Story by Theophilus Chuma
THE Government has stepped up efforts to revive Dorowa Minerals, committing to help mobilise US$11 million required for the company’s recapitalisation.
The development was confirmed during a tour of the Buhera-based mine by Vice President Honourable Constantino Chiwenga on Wednesday, as part of a broader assessment of key economic projects in Manicaland Province.
Dorowa is Zimbabwe’s sole producer of phosphate, a critical raw material in the manufacture of basal fertilisers, including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) blends, making its recovery central to the country’s agricultural value chain.
Government has already injected US$5 million towards the mine’s rehabilitation in 2025, as part of efforts to restore production capacity, reduce fertiliser imports and strengthen food security.
Speaking during the visit, VP Dr Chiwenga emphasised the need for a coordinated approach to ensure the mine returns to full production.
“We want to have a whole of government approach and make sure that all the requirements they need here are done concurrently and that we are able to produce enough of our basal fertiliser,” he said.
He added that recent repairs to key infrastructure, including two major pumps, are expected to significantly improve operational efficiency and support continuous production.
“The two main pumps which they have repaired are a game changer to this plant because it must work 24-7, and the only time they must shut it is when they do the annual maintenance that one month in November or December when they do the annual maintenance. That is the only time they must shut it. By that time, it must have produced 450 metric tonnes,” he said.
Dorowa Minerals General Manager Mr Henson Mambo says they are on course to finalise the first phase in the refurbishment process at this plant, and the other two phases are set to be expedited and completed hopefully within the first quarter of next year.
“When we realise that ambition of being able to raise US$11 million, which the shareholder has agreed to facilitate and to help us to raise that money, we will be able to get this place to name plate capacity most conservatively by the end of the first quarter of next year,” he said.
The revival of the mine is expected to significantly reduce reliance on imported fertilisers, lower input costs for farmers and enhance agricultural productivity.
The visit to Dorowa formed part of VP Chiwenga’s tour of strategic projects in Manicaland, which also included the Sabi Star Lithium Mine, where he reiterated the importance of value addition and beneficiation in the mining sector.
