Story by Yolanda Moyo
ZIMBABWE’S industrialisation drive is entering a new phase as the Zhong Jin He Li Energy project in Hwange advances towards completion of its Phase Two expansion.
The development is expected to significantly increase the company’s power generation capacity while deepening value addition in the mining sector.
‘Zhong Jin He Li’, which translates to, ‘China and Zimbabwe working together to build a better tomorrow,’ is emerging as one of the country’s most ambitious industrial investments.
Established in 2023, the large-scale integrated industrial ecosystem combines coking, waste heat recovery, power generation and cement manufacturing.
Production Manager at Zhong Jin He Li Energy, Mr Wen Li, said the investment has positioned the company among Zimbabwe’s leading private sector power producers.
“The scale of investment is huge and we can safely say we are among the biggest private sector power generators in Zimbabwe. The industrial park itself also represents a major investment.
“The technologies we are using are unique and different from the older models of coking plants. We have adopted modern systems designed to minimise environmental pollution, including air and wastewater pollution,” he said.
Energy development at the plant is progressing rapidly, with the Phase One coke plant already supplying electricity to the national grid, while construction of Phase Two is underway.
Mr Li said Phase One currently has an annual production capacity of 250 000 tonnes.
“The trench car extracts coke from the ovens using new technology. Above the coking ovens, there are large pipes that collect smoke and gas produced during the coking process.
“The heat generated is then recycled into boilers to produce electricity. Phase Two, which has now been completed, will add another 250 000 tonnes to our annual production capacity using the same advanced technology,” he said.
The project’s circular production model extends beyond energy generation, with fly ash from the thermal power station being recycled for cement production at the nearby Jianqiang Cement plant.
Maintenance Engineer at Zhong Jin He Li Energy, Mr Frank Fang, said the initiative is helping to reduce industrial waste.
“Our power station uses coal-fired boilers and, after combustion, coal ash is produced. Traditionally, this ash would be discarded as waste, but we now use it in cement production to reduce the discharge of solid waste,” he said.
Beyond energy and manufacturing, the project is transforming livelihoods in Hwange, with more women taking up roles in the industrial sector.
One employee said the investment had opened opportunities previously unavailable to women in the area.
“I am proud to be part of this project. It has created opportunities for women to work in industries where we were rarely seen before. The coming of these investors to Hwange has greatly benefited local communities,” she said.
Another worker expressed gratitude for the employment opportunities created by the company.
“We started as just 50 workers, but the workforce has continued to grow. We are grateful to these companies for creating jobs for local people,” the worker said.
A 21-year-old employee said the project had equipped young people with valuable skills.
“It has now been two years since I started working here. This opportunity has helped me gain skills and qualifications that I did not have before. It has truly been an eye-opener for me,” the worker said.
Another female employee from St Mary’s said the project had improved livelihoods for many families.
“As women from St Mary’s, we are grateful for these opportunities. I once did not know what to do with my life, but now I have a job and can support my family,” she said.
Upon completion of Phase Two, the company expects to further expand its workforce, creating hundreds of additional jobs for the Hwange community.
Mr Li said the company currently employs about 500 people, including subcontractors, with the figure expected to rise to 700 once the project is fully operational.
“As foreign investors in Zimbabwe, we understand that sustainable growth is not only about capital investment, but also about caring for people.
“By supporting local communities and working together with employees, we believe the company can achieve long-term growth and development,” he said.
As Zimbabwe accelerates infrastructure development, energy expansion and value addition in mining, investments such as Zhong Jin He Li Energy are expected to play a strategic role in driving economic growth, job creation and industrial modernisation in line with Vision 2030.
