Story by Mhlomuli Ncube
HWANGE Colliery Company has injected over US$8 million in the resuscitation of its coke oven battery which has not been operational for over a decade.
The investment is expected to result in monthly production exceeding 18 000 tonnes of coke.
The development has been described as significant, amid rising demand for coking coal both locally and on the international market.
The ongoing change of fortunes at the coal mining company is directly linked to the government’s decision to place the company under administration, a move that has resulted in improved productivity and employee welfare.
Hwange Colliery Company Limited (HCCL) Managing Director, Engineer William Gambiza says the battery will be warmed up soon.
“We decided to go on this critical project as an important step in reviving the company’s fortunes. Our battery is now ready for warming up this June. We invested US$8.1 million in this project.”
Government says the decision to place Hwange Colliery Company under administration is paying huge economic and social dividends.
“We are grateful for the government’s decision to place HCCL under administration. We see the results of the company’s resurgence. Workers are now getting paid on time, the government is also getting its dividend and we are proud of the work being done by management,” Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Richard Moyo said.
The company is the key driver of the energy and power dynamics in Hwange through its coal output, which is directed to power generation.
A synergy of production has also been created as other companies into coke making get the bulk of their product from Hwange Colliery, a company in which the government is the major stakeholder.
