HARARE, Jul. 25 (NewsDay Live) – State-owned Hwange Colliery Company Limited (HCCL) has restarted metallurgical coke production for the first time in 12 years, marking a significant milestone in Zimbabwe’s push to increase export earnings through mineral beneficiation rather than raw coal exports.
The commissioning of the rehabilitated Coke Oven Battery at HCCL’s Hwange Mining and Processing Company (HMPC) revives a strategic industrial asset that had remained idle since operations were suspended in 2014.
The restart signals a shift in HCCL’s business model from primarily mining coal to producing higher-value metallurgical coke, an essential input for steel manufacturing and other heavy industries.
HCCL administrator Munashe Shava described the development as a key milestone in the company’s turnaround programme.
“Today marks a defining milestone in the reconstruction and transformation journey of Hwange Colliery Company Limited Holdings with the successful commissioning of the rehabilitated Coke Oven Battery at our strategic business unit, Hwange Mining and Processing Company. This milestone marks the revival of coke production at HCCL Holdings after operations ceased in 2014,” Shava said.
He said the project demonstrates the company’s commitment to adding value to Zimbabwe’s coal resources rather than exporting them in raw form.
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“This commissioning is more than the revival of a production facility; it is a bold statement of HCCL Holdings’ commitment to beneficiation Zimbabwe’s vast coal resources, transforming them into higher-value metallurgical coke that supports steel manufacturing, drives industrial growth and creates greater economic value,” he said.
The development aligns with the government’s industrialisation agenda, which places mineral beneficiation at the centre of efforts to increase export revenues, strengthen domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports.
According to HCCL, the project supports the objectives of the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which prioritises value addition, industrial growth and export-led economic development.
“The project directly advances the aspirations of Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 2 by promoting value addition and beneficiation, strengthening domestic industrial capacity, reducing reliance on imports, enhancing export potential and contributing to sustainable job creation,” Shava said.
The return of coke production is expected to strengthen Zimbabwe’s steel value chain by improving domestic supplies of metallurgical coke, reducing import dependence and creating opportunities to serve regional markets where demand for steel-making inputs continues to grow.
The commissioning forms part of HCCL’s broader reconstruction programme after years of financial distress, ageing infrastructure and declining output severely affected operations at one of Zimbabwe’s oldest mining companies.
Once the country’s dominant coal producer and a critical supplier to the power, manufacturing and industrial sectors, HCCL has been rebuilding production capacity, modernising equipment and rehabilitating strategic assets under its reconstruction plan.
Shava said the company would continue pursuing investments aimed at maximising value from Zimbabwe’s natural resources.
“As we continue reconstructing our business, HCCL Holdings remains focused on creating lasting value for our stakeholders through innovation, operational excellence and strategic investments that unlock the full potential of Zimbabwe’s natural resources,” he said.
The successful restart of coke production provides an early indication of Zimbabwe’s broader ambition to develop competitive mineral value chains capable of generating higher export earnings, supporting industrialisation and creating employment.