Phillipa Chanetsa
Zimbabwe Zhongxin chrome smelting company which is currently under construction in Mashava, Masvingo province is expected to create employment for around 200 people when it start operations.
Speaking during the tour of the company on August 12, 2022 Minister of Mines and Mining Development Winston Chitando said the company will start operating in October this year using the first furnace.
“The first furnace will fire up in October this year producing 25000 per annum of high carbon ferrochrome and thereafter the second one will start early next year. As you can see from the structures, there is a provision for another two furnaces, so the total provision for the whole facility is 100 000 tons which is very significant and could fetch roughly around US$ 100 million per annum.
“In terms of jobs, the initial stage will see 200 people being employed directly but there is downstream in terms of the supply of ores because they are not mining but will be buying ores from small scale miners. So it’s a huge impact in terms of small scale mining, youth, women and war veteran who will be given concession to supply ores to this facility,” said Chitando.
He also said the development would spur development for the province of Masvingo and the local community.
“The development is not only significant for Zimbabwe at large but for the province of Masvingo as well and the people of Mashava. It’s part of the national vision 2030 to achieve an upper middle class economy as we build Zimbabwe brick by brick, day by day,” added Chitando.
The company director Zhang Meng said they are not facing any challenges as for now but if they do, will let the minister know.
“The coming of the minister has given us hope that he is going to help us and there are no challenges faced so far .The company will create employment opportunities for the surrounding community,” said Meng.
Mashava is home to some disused mines like Gaths and King mines which suffered operational challenges with some emanating from the current economic challenges obtaining in the country leaving thousands of workers and beneficiaries stranded.
